‘Sacrilege’ at Snooker World Cup: top players target iconic arena | Sports Other

“Everywhere you walk in The Crucible it stinks, honestly. Everything is so poorly organized here,” said Iranian Hossein Vafaei after his defeat by Judd Trump. “History is important, but no one is investing even a little money in this historic site.”

Theater The Crucible, which only seats 980 spectators during the World Cup, has been the setting for the final tournament since 1977. The contract expires in three years, meaning the event can be held elsewhere in the future. China and Saudi Arabia are considered contenders.

“At top locations in other countries you are received and treated wonderfully,” the world number nineteen continued his argument. “Everything is splendor there. If you ask me if we should return to The Crucible, my answer is no.”

“Just take the practice room. Do you have a special feeling about that? It feels like you’re practicing in a garage. And that’s not good. In China and Saudi Arabia you think you’re a star, but here no one cares about you. Both neither before nor after the match. A World Cup in China or Saudi Arabia will be a completely different story.”

World Snooker Tour felt compelled to respond after Vafaei’s harsh words. “The Crucible is a historic location where larger practice areas are indeed desirable behind the scenes,” wrote the World Cup organizer. “We are working with The Crucible to ensure players feel as welcome as possible.”

Vafaei is certainly not the only snooker player who has had it with The Crucible. Four-time world champion John Higgins believes a departure from Sheffield is inevitable. “It was a great location to play snooker. But the sport has become so big that a World Cup in always the same place is no longer possible. It is now also a matter of who puts the most money on the table.”

Ontvang meldingen bij belangrijke ontwikkelingen rondom snooker Stay informed with notifications

Seven-time world champion O’Sullivan also contributed. “It is torture to play a World Cup here. It is fine that tournaments still take place here, but not a World Cup that lasts seventeen days. It is one big circus and you have to have the space for that.”

O’Sullivan’s criticism is not surprising. The 48-year-old Englishman recently became ambassador of snooker in Saudi Arabia. In 2022, ‘The Rocket’ was still positive about The Crucible. “Why would we leave Sheffield? I can only see that happening if there is an offer from China that cannot be refused.”

The big money from China and Saudi Arabia is probably too tempting, which means that the World Cup may no longer take place in Sheffield from 2028. Both countries have invested heavily in snooker in recent years with various top tournaments. A relocation of the World Cup seems a logical next step.

Former world champion Murphy reported to the barricades after all the criticism. The Englishman adores The Crucible and calls Vafaei’s tirade “almost sacrilege”. “Hossein needs to be informed about how the World Cup and the World Snooker Tour operate and how special this location is.”

“Does he think he is helping the sport by openly criticizing our home turf?” continued Murphy, who won the world title in 2005 as a 22-year-old. “I always learned from my mother: if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”

“I remember as a nine-year-old in 1992 braving the steps to see Peter Ebdon’s debut against Steve Davis,” Murphy said of the Sheffield theatre. “I’ve loved this place ever since. So many iconic snooker moments have taken place here. The Crucible is special.”

Yet Murphy realizes that times are changing. “It is our biggest event in the smallest possible arena imaginable. That does not go well together,” the Englishman acknowledged. “I think everyone wants the World Cup to stay here. But something has to change.”