Ronnie O’Sullivan has claimed that he is not allowed to speak after learning he faces the wrath of the World Snooker Tour (WST). The Rocket has been accused of making disparaging comments about the organisation during an incredible tirade he aimed at snooker bosses in October.
O’Sullivan likened the WST’s treatment of some of its stars as close to “blackmail”. Several of the world’s top snooker players have clashed with the sport’s chiefs over the issue of being allowed to compete in lucrative exhibitions in China.
Luca Brecel, Mark Selby, John Higgins, Ali Carter and Thepchaiya Un-Nooh missed the Northern Ireland Open to play in a non-sanctioned event in Macau. Former WST chairman Barry Hearn has warned the five that they face expulsion from the tour.
But O’Sullivan has also landed himself in hot water over remarks he made about the WST in October. A spokesperson has confirmed that the comments have been referred to a disciplinary panel.
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O’Sullivan has now insisted that he is not allowed to speak. He said: “It has got to the point where I can’t really talk anymore. I am being disciplined now through the WPBSA. I mean I have a long list of things that I have done really bad for the game.
I don’t need the aggravation to be honest with you, it’s getting a bit ridiculous. It has got to that point now where I don’t really want to say anything about anything other than just we talk about the game.
“I don’t know what you can and can’t say anymore. I am better off just going the black-and-white route, which is don’t say much at all.”
The quintet known as the ‘Macau Five’ have opened themselves up to disciplinary action after breaching contracts to sign up to the China event. Mark Allen was forced to make a public apology after calling for “boycotts” to change the “restrictive” contracts.
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O’Sullivan could be set for a punishment, too, having aired his own thoughts. He continued: “I have been told not to say anything, I have been told not to speak. I am not one for reading contracts. So, I am not going to sit down and read what I can or can’t do.
“Other than I have been told, you can’t say nothing. So, I would rather not. I would rather keep it fresh and just talk about the weather and we just get through these interviews as swiftly as we can.”
A WST spokesperson said: “We can confirm that WST has referred Ronnie O’Sullivan to the WPBSA for a disciplinary matter, and this is ongoing.”
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