Sheffield, UK (AFP) – Iran's Hossein Fafai said on Sunday that the World Snooker Championship venue, the Crucible Theater, was “very smelly” and the tournament could learn from China, where players are “treated like stars”.
Publication of:
1 minute
Buffai lost 10-5 in the first round to former champion Judd Trump, slamming the conditions at the Sheffield arena, which has hosted the tournament since 1977.
“Everything is so bad. If you ask me if I want to come back here, I would say absolutely not,” Vafai said.
“You want to forget history and go to really nice places as a player. When you walk around the Crucible, it stinks so bad. When you go to other countries, everything is shiny. But here Completely different.”
“Practice room–is there anything special? It feels like we're practicing in the garage.”
World number one Ronnie O'Sullivan has already suggested the world championships should be moved to Saudi Arabia or China when his existing contract expires in 2027.
“Look at the venues in China. How amazing the athletes, the red carpet and the opening ceremony are,” Buffai said.
“The players are treated like stars. But here no one takes care of the players, no one cares who you are before or after the game.
“If you don't want to lose the Crucible, invest your money, make it more shiny, make it nicer, make it more luxurious for people. If they make it prettier and nicer, people will love it. You will enjoy it.”
The World Snooker Tour responded: “The Crucible is a historic venue and given the size of the backstage area there are restrictions.”
They added in a statement: “We are working with Crucible to make it as welcoming as possible for players.”
© 2024 AFP
