Advertisement
Anna Gowthorpe/PA Wire/Press Association Images
Crucible

Mark Allen will now face disciplinary proceedings over 'cheating' comments

The Antrim man has, once again, given World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn cause for great concern.

BARRY HEARN, THE chairman of World Snooker, says that Mark Allen will face disciplinary proceedings over comments he made at the World Championship in Sheffield.

In the wake of his defeat to Cao Yupeng, Allen claimed that his Chinese opponent failed to declare an illegal push shot when leading 5-4. Allen went on to lose the match 10-6.

He went on to accuse another two Chinese players of ‘blatant cheating’ in the past, with Hearn voicing his dismay at the latest outburst from the 26-year-old Northern Irishman.

“To effectively accuse your opponent of cheating is looked on as bringing the game into disrepute,” said Hearn.

“Time and time again Mark seems unable to control himself in his public statements. Sometimes I am speechless.”

Hearn went on to indicate that Allen will sanctions in light of his outburst.

“Players have rules written in their contracts and they are not allowed to say certain things. If they do, they are in breach of tournament regulations and will come under a disciplinary process.

“There is a responsibility on players to make sure that their comments are proper and thought through.”

Allen has closed his Twitter account, a move that Hearn welcomed, given the player’s history of using the social networking website to land himself in bother with the sport’s hierarchy.

The Antrim man recently described conditions at the World Open in Haikou, China, as ‘horrendous.’ He was fined £1,000 as a result.

“I’m glad Mark has closed his Twitter account,” Hearn added. “People must realise Twitter is out there in the public domain so you have to be careful what you say.

“It is the players’ responsibility to treat everyone with respect and there are rules that they must adhere to.

“Following the rules of World Snooker is part and parcel of playing on the Tour and we will not tolerate any breach.

“Whether there has been a push shot or not is pretty much academic – it’s the slant of the comments that Mark made afterwards. He had the chance to say to the referee that he believed he had made a mistake, but did not take that opportunity.

“There is a written complaints procedure for players to make any grievances that they may have known.”

VIDEO: Mark Allen slams Cao Yupeng for not calling ‘blatant push’ >

Your Voice
Readers Comments
1
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.