Hearn promises snooker is safe

BARRY Hearn has promised players that the highest health and safety measures will be in place when live snooker returns with a free-to-air televised tournament next month, writes Ian Parker.

Judd Trump, Neil Robertson and Kyren Wilson are among those set to play Championship League Snooker, which will see 64 players battle for a top prize of £30,000 at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes between June 1-11

All players, officials, staff and contractors must return a negative test result for coronavirus prior to entering the venue, while there will be strict social distancing rules applied throughout.

“Players who have any doubts about their own welfare can rest assured that all precautions are being taken,” Hearn said.

“I am confident that there is no other major sport which can meet health and safety criteria on isolation and social distancing as stringently as snooker can, so we are able to return more quickly than others.”