Snooker 2017 World Championship

[ChrisW]

Seems Rocket is not happy with Barry or 'people'

[Rout]

He's out next round to Murphy.

But makes me very happy to hear my favourite sportsperson of all time slag off possibly my least favourite person involved in sport today.

[ifm]

What's the background on this?
I don't really follow snooker much these days.
I once chatted to Selby all the way back on a flight from Austria (i think) once, he's a big darts fan, i had no idea who he was

[Zapp Brannigan]

What's the background on this?
I don't really follow snooker much these days.
I once chatted to Selby all the way back on a flight from Austria (i think) once, he's a big darts fan, i had no idea who he was

He's been kicking off because he was warned for his conduct after some comments he made in the masters about the ref and condition of the table

[Rout]

What's the background on this?
I don't really follow snooker much these days.
I once chatted to Selby all the way back on a flight from Austria (i think) once, he's a big darts fan, i had no idea who he was

In jan in the masters A photographer kept taking shots while he was looking down the shot so he had a pop at him after already asking him to stop. The ref warned ronnie so he had a disagreement with him too. World Snooker opened disciplinary procedures but didn't end up charging him.

Since then he's received warnings in the post and says he's been threatened to buck his ideas up.

Since then he's basically been on media strike. Giving stupid answers and not cooperating. Until yesterday when he opened up about why he's been behaving strangely.

[Rout]

World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn says accusations directed at him by Ronnie O'Sullivan are "unfounded" and being taken "very seriously".

The five-time world champion, 41, reacted to a disciplinary letter he received in January by claiming the body used "threatening" language, and adding he would not be "bullied".

He was speaking after beating Gary Wilson 10-7 at the World Championship.

The WPBSA, the sport's governing body, says it will take no action.

Tournament schedule
BBC coverage times
What did O'Sullivan say?

In an emotional post-match interview on Sunday, O'Sullivan told BBC Radio 5 live: "I phoned Barry Hearn four weeks ago and told him I am done with you and your board.

"I don't think I've done a lot wrong.

"A friend told me to let the lawyers deal with it. I won't get involved anymore because I am not being bullied."

O'Sullivan was warned about his behaviour in a letter from the WPBSA - - after he publicly criticised a referee and swore at a photographer during January's Masters.

He has since replied to questions from the media with one or two-word answers, has sung an Oasis song in reply, and on another occasion responded as a 'robot' in protest at his perceived mistreatment by the sport's authorities.

Ronnie's Wonderwall
How did Hearn respond?

In a statement published on Monday, Hearn said the WPBSA was "exclusively responsible for all disciplinary matters" and he had "no involvement whatsoever".

Hearn, chairman of the commercial arm of the sport, said: "I take any accusation of 'bullying and intimidation' by me or World Snooker very seriously.

"Unfounded accusations such as these are damaging to World Snooker's global reputation, as well as my own, and we will take whatever action is required to protect this reputation from such inaccurate comments."

He said he hoped all parties could "move on" and focus on the "brilliant entertainment" at the World Championship.

What did the WPBSA say?

WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson told the BBC: "In terms of bullying and intimidation - we don't accept that at all.

"I'm more than happy to sit down with Ronnie and discuss the issues."

After beating Wilson, O'Sullivan will play Shaun Murphy or teenager Yan Bingtao in round two at the Crucible Theatre.

[ifm]

Looking like the snooker is going to be cutoff, shocking lack of planning from match room sports and the bbc, so unprofessional.

[ifm]

In other news is Virgo the new Tony Green?
Some really bizarre commentary at times, rambling on about you needing to be a good potter to be world champ........no shit!

[Ginge]

Virgo has been losing the plot for years now. Saw him at the opening ceremony thing on Friday night and he doesn't look well at all these days, properly shaking like he has Parkinsons or whatever.

[Rout]

Looking like the snooker is going to be cutoff, shocking lack of planning from match room sports and the bbc, so unprofessional.

Ha ha! Dad's army!! Ha ha!!

[Zapp Brannigan]

In other news is Virgo the new Tony Green?
Some really bizarre commentary at times, rambling on about you needing to be a good potter to be world champ........no shit!

Met him at the seniors the other week and he's really not well at all, like ginge said he seems to have Parkinson's or something similar

Was supposed to be commentating the games from the side of the table but a few times I looked over when he wasn't saying anything and he was just slumped over with his head in his hands. Dennis Taylor had to step in for a few games in the end.

Think it's a case of he doesn't want to pack in but may be forced to

[Ginge]

A few years ago Eurosport showed a live snooker exbo, was a few days after the Crucible finished.

They had Virgo wandering around doing live comms. Players with mics on. Was genuinely hillarious, especially Virgo. On the BBC though he is intolerable.

[Zapp Brannigan]

A few years ago Eurosport showed a live snooker exbo, was a few days after the Crucible finished.

They had Virgo wandering around doing live comms. Players with mics on. Was genuinely hillarious, especially Virgo. On the BBC though he is intolerable.

When he was concentrating hes was absolutely on fire, really quick jokes and was great with his timing. Knew scores and what was left/required just by a little notepad he was using to jot things down.

Just the next minute you could tell he wasnt well and when he stood up you could see how frail he is.

[ChrisW]

A few years ago Eurosport showed a live snooker exbo, was a few days after the Crucible finished.

They had Virgo wandering around doing live comms. Players with mics on. Was genuinely hillarious, especially Virgo. On the BBC though he is intolerable.

When he was concentrating hes was absolutely on fire, really quick jokes and was great with his timing. Knew scores and what was left/required just by a little notepad he was using to jot things down.

Just the next minute you could tell he wasnt well and when he stood up you could see how frail he is.

In his 70's now?

[Little Lonely Garry]

what is a cahmpionship ?

[Rout]

Virgo was the best commentator till about 3 seasons ago. Then it seemed he started to make a parody out of his catchphrases like "where's the cue ball" going and "that knocked 3 times and knew the password." Since then he's gone a bit daft and definitely lost the plot for this one.

But still better than Willie "I've made 50 maximums in practice" Thorne

[ChrisW]

Well whatever your feelings are I am looking forward to see Ronnie v Murphy tomorrow. See if he is fired up or more likely screwed up.

[Rout]

Got a feeling it's gonna see ronnie implode like he used to.

[Ginge]

Judd Trump has failed to turn up to do his press conference apparently...

[Rout]

Confirmed by hazel Ginge.

Snooker had always had the showman who puts bums on seats in the tv era. Higgins then white then ronnie. They try to bill trump as the next but it's not happening. No one else on the horizon at all.

Hearns got a task and a half on his hands with this game