Snooker: O'Sullivan appears to forget rules
The 2021 Masters will see 14 of the world’s top 16 snooker players battle it out for the trophy. World No 1 Judd Trump and Jack Lisowski tested positive for coronavirus and will miss the tournament. The pair have been replaced by Joe Perry and Gary Wilson.
Seven-time Masters winner Ronnie O’Sullivan, three-time champion Mark Selby and 2012 winner Neil Robertson will all be in action.
Stuart Bingham arrives as the defending champion after his 10–8 victory against Ali Carter in last year’s final.
This year’s event will be staged at Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes instead of Alexandra Palace, where it has been held since 2011.
The World Snooker Tour (WST) announced the venue change to ensure “that strict Covid-19 regulations can be followed”.
WST chairman Barry Hearn added: “It’s disappointing for everyone connected with the event not to be heading to its spiritual home at Alexandra Palace.
“However our highest priority is always health and safety, and that is the basis of this decision.
“We must take all necessary steps to ensure that the event will go ahead and provide fantastic entertainment for many millions of fans throughout the world.”
The winner of the Masters will receive the top prize of £250,000.
What TV channel is the Masters on?
There are several ways for fans to watch this year’s Masters event.
Television coverage will be shown across the BBC and Eurosport in the UK.
BBC Two will also be showing highlights of the day’s action each night.
Fans can also live stream the Masters via the iPlayer app or by visiting the BBC website.
Eurosport channels are available with Sky, Virgin and BT TV packages.
Fans can also live stream the snooker via the Eurosport Player.
A subscription costs £6.99 per month, or £39.99 for the annual pass.
Milton Keynes has become the temporary home of snooker during the Covid pandemic and O’Sullivan was disappointed to learn the Masters would also be staged there.
“It’s disappointing there won’t be any fans at the Masters because you are playing in such a big venue and it’s going to be empty,” O’Sullivan told Eurosport.
“But I’ve got to be honest, anything is better than going back to Milton Keynes.
“I’m not going to moan or complain in being able to not have to go and play snooker in Milton Keynes just for the odd week.
“Hallelujah! Halle-bloody-lujah! Honestly, it is okay and it has served a purpose, but to have to play every event there is just hard, hard work for a lot of people.”
Source: Read Full Article