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Snooker newest: Stephen Hendry unable to defend Ronnie O’Sullivan in ban calls

Ronnie O’Sullivan has confronted calls to be issued a ban and snooker’s largest names have weighed in.

Ronnie O’Sullivan’s selection of chalk has been a speaking level (Picture: Getty Photos)

Ronnie O’Sullivan gained the World Seniors Championship in his very first look on the event, having taken the sector on the Crucible by storm. The Rocket, who was knocked out of the 2026 World Championship on the similar venue by John Higgins final month, has loved significantly higher fortune within the over-40s competitors.

The 50-year-old cruised to a 4-1 victory over Ken Doherty within the opening spherical, earlier than defeating Peter Traces 4-2 to safe his place within the semi-finals. There, he posted a 7-5 win over Robert Milkins to e book his spot within the closing, defeating Joe Perry 10-4 on Sunday.

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But it’s not solely the motion on the desk that has captured the headlines this week….

Milkins makes ‘disrespect’ admission

Robert Milkins confessed that he had “disrespected” snooker for a lot too lengthy following his elimination from the World Seniors Championship by the hands of O’Sullivan. The Rocket was pressured to dig deep towards the Milkman, who held leads of 3-2, 4-3 and 5-4 at numerous levels within the best-of-13 frames encounter.

Stephen Hendry spoke about Ronnie O’Sullivan (Picture: PA)

Nonetheless, O’Sullivan in the end secured a 7-5 victory to e book his place within the closing. Reflecting on his informal perspective in direction of the game afterwards, Milkins mentioned: “I’ve disrespected the sport for too lengthy.

“I used to be struggling to get again into it. There are indicators of taking part in properly however I simply missed too many simple balls. It is going to come however I’ve obtained to place a few weeks in now earlier than Q Faculty.”

He added: “Ronnie scares the hell out of me at all times. I respect Ron. No different participant does that to me. It’s unhealthy sufficient taking part in him if you end up taking part in properly. However if you end up struggling, you’ve got obtained no likelihood.”

Defending champion ‘ought to have refused to play’

Alfie Burden has admitted he ought to have declined to compete when his opening match on the World Seniors Championship was moved to the observe room. The reigning champion was left “heartbroken” by a difficulty with one of many match tables which resulted in his conflict with Igor Figueredo on Thursday being staged behind the scenes.

Burden in the end suffered a 4-0 defeat, denying him the chance to defend his crown in entrance of spectators on the Crucible. His family and friends had been, nevertheless, permitted to attend.

Writing on social media following his elimination, Burden mentioned: “To say I am disillusioned could be an enormous understatement, do not keep in mind feeling this low after a snooker occasion…

“I wasn’t within the psychological mind-set to play that match in a observe room to be trustworthy. I used to be in a state of shock at what was unfolding. Actually heartbroken.”

He additionally revealed on Saturday that his attraction to delay the match till Friday so it may happen in the primary area was rejected. He added: “Can I make it completely clear I wasn’t given an choice to play my match within the morning.

“I requested [if] may I play the following morning [and] was flatly refused. Was instructed I needed to play within the cabinet. [Dominic] Dale [and] Stevens was given a selection, I wasn’t and I ought to have refused to play.”

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