When the top 32 players fought fiercely on the field, outside the field, the debate about the venue of the World Championships resumed, and this time, WST Chairman Hearn also joined, and the remarks were fiercely criticized by the British media.
The core of the debate is whether the World Championship venues should be moved or not.
As we all know, the World Championships have been held in the Crucible Stadium since 1977, and this venue can only accommodate about 980 people, which is a typical old and dilapidated venue!
The World Championships is the most important event of the three major snooker competitions, with a high degree of attention and strong demand for on-site watching, so it seems contradictory!
In this tournament, after the loss of Iranian player Vafi, he criticized Crucible a lot and spoke out fiercely, and Murphy was also the first to reply!
Previously, O'Sullivan also strongly supported moving the World Championships out of Crucible!
In fact, in order to improve this environment, the official has also renovated the venue, and WST has been trying to coordinate and build another venue, but it has not been possible!
Move? or can't move?
To change? or not to change?
For the British and most snooker players, Crucible is already a temple and a spiritual symbol, so there are many opponents!
But this year, with the addition of Saudi Arabia, with the help of money, snooker not only innovated the "Golden Ball" event, but also has a tendency to move the World Championships to Saudi Arabia!
No, the war of words between Wafi and Murphy had just ended, and Hearn suddenly released a bombshell news: "Saudi Arabia made an offer that I have never seen in my life! The future World Championships may be held in China and Saudi Arabia, all because of money!"
As soon as this remark came out, it not only directly slapped Murphy in the face, but was also directly criticized by the British media!
Hearn also said: "It's all about money, get used to it, the world is changing, I'm not going to be a dinosaur, I don't change with the world changing." ”
In fact, what Hearn said, it all makes sense, players need to increase their income, the environment needs to improve, the world is also changing, and there is nothing wrong with adapting to the changes!
In addition, the chairman of the WST also announced that the 24/25 season of the Masters will also be significantly increased in prize money, from 720,005 to 1 million pounds, and the championship prize money from 250,000 to 350,000 pounds!