21 March 2023 , 22:30
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Shaun Murphy has told Ronnie O'Sullivan to either help or shut up after the Rocket's scathing attack on the state of snooker.
World No1 and reigning and seven-time world champion O'Sullivan, 47, claimed this week that the game was in “the worst state ever” with regard to overall prize money. And O'Sullivan, who bids for a record eighth world crown at the Crucible next month, also reckoned the situation was “beyond a crisis”, called for players to strike and slated the efforts of those running the sport.
But Murphy was quick to point out that this year's £10.5million total prize money far exceeded the 2009-10 figure of only £3.5m – when there were just six ranking events compared to 15 this term. And he also challenged O'Sullivan to turn up to key meetings about snooker's future.
The Rocket was not present at one of the biggest for years last week. Murphy said: “It's a shame that not just Ronnie but other players won't come to the table and talk with WST and WPBSA Players board. I was always taught not to air your dirty laundry in public, and all of the things Ronnie refers to…none of them are made any easier by him speaking so publicly about them.
“I don't see how players can't understand that. This isn't about gagging orders or restricting free speech. It's having the sense to realise some of these things are sensitive, and need dealing with in-house.
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“We need to be a unified voice in snooker to grow the game and make it bigger and better – and there is very little of that going around at the moment. In simple mathematical terms, for prize money and number of tournaments, he is incorrect to say it is the worst it is ever been.
“I don't know where he is coming from with his comments. He wasn't at the meeting last week, neither were other players that have been vocal recently like Stephen Maguire and Ali Carter. They were no-shows as well.
O'Sullivan recently launched a scathing attack on the state of snooker (Getty Images)“And if players don't attend meetings and go through the proper channels, then WST and WPBSA won't take them seriously. There are a lot of criticisms flying round, but not many solutions. It's all well and good criticising from the side-lines, let's see some of these players get their hands dirty and getting involved.
“Help make the game better. Ronnie has carried a big burden on his shoulders for 20-30 years and the biggest star we have ever had, there is no question there. He puts more bums on seats. But snooker was here before Ronnie O’Sullivan, and it will be here long after he puts his cue down.
“They said about Alex Higgins the game wouldn't survive him leaving, and that was wrong. The frustration with Ronnie is that there is the odd good idea in there. If he could be motivated to get involved, he would be a real asset. But I have no idea who can do that.”