WORLD Snooker chairman Barry Hearn has threatened to sue Mark Allen over comments made criticising his leadership during a press conference at the Williamhill.com UK Championship.
Hearn said he was taking legal advice over Allen’s comments, which included a claim that the 63-year-old entrepreneur was only in snooker to make money for himself.
Earlier on Tuesday, the WPBSA confirmed Allen had been referred to the disciplinary committee for swearing during the press conference because he was in breach of tournament rules and could be charged with bringing the game into disrepute. A statement released by the governing body said: “At a time when our sport is growing fast on a global scale and we are encouraging greater participation among young people, we expect players to be role models and take the issue of their behaviour very seriously.”
Within hours of the WPBSA’s statement, Allen apologised for swearing as part of an interview for the website belonging to his management stable, ‘On Q Promotions’, but reiterated his criticisms of Hearn. He said: “[Swearing] was totally wrong and I’d like to apologise. We are professional sportsmen and role models for young people and I was out of order to swear.
“I didn’t really think that one single person should have total control of such a big business – all 100 players on tour could vote a certain way on a matter but Barry could decide to go another way.
“I don’t think that’s good for any business. But the players who voted for Barry knew what they were getting into.”
Allen went on to criticise the PTC events, which have seen the players being given opportunities to play most weekends in Britain and across continental Europe, often in front of packed houses in countries not traditionally associated with snooker, along with extensive television coverage. He said: “The only upside of what he’s done is that the players are playing a lot of snooker and we cried out for more snooker and Barry’s saying I’ve given them more snooker, what more do they want?
“But it’s not just about giving more snooker, any Tom, Dick or Harry can come in and give people more snooker. It’s about giving them quality snooker I think.”
However, Hearn, who was out of the country when the comments were originally made on Monday, told Daily Star reporter Hector Nunns that he considered Allen’s remarks unacceptable. He said: “I’m disappointed in the personal attack he’s made on me with comments that are slanderous and I will be taking separate legal advice on that matter.
“The ratings are up, ticket sales are 50 per cent up on last year, so the changes seem to be working for the improvement of snooker. Let’s face it, things had to change.
“This is not the beginning of the end for long matches but sport is changing and anyone with a brain knows that. It needs to become more commercially viable.”