Former world champion Shaun Murphy has accused rival Hossein Vafaei of “sacrilege” after the Iranian launched a scathing assault on the circumstances on the Crucible Theatre.
Vafaei described the venue as “smelly” and stated the follow room was like a storage within the wake of his 10-5 World Championship first-round defeat to Judd Trump on Sunday.
However Murphy, who swept to victory over Lyu Haotian by the identical rating, jumped to the defence of the Crucible, which has hosted each World Championship since 1977.
Murphy stated: “That is holy floor. It’s virtually sacrilege for knowledgeable snooker participant to be so brazenly crucial of our house.
“Hossein ought to educate himself on how our tour works in relationships with the WST and our broadcast companions, and what a particular place that is.
“Does he assume he’s serving to our sport develop by being so brazenly crucial of one among our largest companions? He has not helped the game in any respect.”
Hypothesis is mounting over the way forward for the venue, with its present deal as a result of expire in 2027 and a few stars together with world primary Ronnie O’Sullivan brazenly calling for the game’s power-brokers to pursue extra profitable choices overseas.
Murphy, who is predicated in Sheffield and gained the world title as a qualifier in 2005, conceded the Crucible has its issues however stated he hoped it will discover a method to prolong its historic affiliation with the game.
“We’re coming as much as the fiftieth anniversary of snooker being right here and if the World Snooker Tour turned up tomorrow and did a web site go to they might most likely not come right here as a result of it’s not large enough, however there’s nothing we are able to do about that,” added Murphy.
“I don’t need the snooker to depart right here. I don’t assume anybody desires to depart other than Hossein and Ronnie O’Sullivan. Everybody else desires to remain however it may well’t keep as it’s.”
I do not need the snooker to depart right here. I do not assume anybody desires to depart other than Hossein and Ronnie O’Sullivan. Everybody else desires to remain however it may well’t keep as it’s
Shaun Murphy
Former semi-finalist Mark Allen admitted he’s in two minds about the way forward for the game’s showpiece occasion given the lure of these probably profitable alternate options elsewhere.
The WST just lately signed a deal to step up promotion of the sport in Saudi Arabia, and subsequent yr’s second World Masters of Snooker occasion will provide a surprising a million {dollars} (£810,000) jackpot for any participant able to potting a particular golden ball after a most break.
“Typically cash talks and it doesn’t look too good for the Crucible, however I wouldn’t be brazenly pushing to depart,” stated Allen.
“I’m a traditionalist and I like the historical past that’s hooked up to this venue. The game must evolve and develop however I’m undecided concerning the route it desires to go in.
“Alternatively you want cash to offer for your loved ones and if elsewhere is best positioned to assist with that then so be it. Maybe the reply is to discover a greater venue in Sheffield to maintain it right here.”
