Snooker: Dispute is tearing snooker apart - Virgo
Snooker pundit John Virgo claims the sport's civil war between governing body the World Snooker Association and 110 Sport has wrecked the sport's backstage camaraderie.
Virgo stepped in for Mark Williams at a press conference at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre today after the defending champion and world number one failed to show up.
The former UK champion, now a BBC TV commentator, said: "Snooker has taken a back step, particularly since Christmas. Players have not been totally focused and the camaraderie that normally goes on backstage is not there. It seems a strange thing to say but players are funny animals and need to feel comfortable when they get to a venue."
The sport has been ripped apart this season during the ongoing power struggle between WSA and 110 Sport, formerly The Sportsmasters Network. Players from either side were asked to choose which side they supported, causing differences of opinion between the rival camps.
Despite the turmoil, Virgo is optimistic this year's event - which starts on Saturday - will be the most open ever seen.
He said: "I'd say any of the top six players could win this year. I've
noticed since the start of the year there have been a number of shocks. The B&H Masters at Wembley had two players who I would call outsiders in the final, Paul Hunter and Fergal O'Brien.
"A lot of players need to raise their game. There isn't the consistency that Steve Davis had during the 1980s and Stephen Hendry had in the 1990s. You've got to be on top of your game at the Crucible because of the atmosphere."
