WSA’s Hearn warns O’Sullivan after withdrawal

World Snooker Association chairman Barry Hearn has warned Ronnie O’Sullivan about his conduct after he withdrew from the German Masters.

The three-time world champion was due to face Dominic Dale in Berlin yesterday, but has now cancelled his participation, believed to be on medical grounds.

Fans favourite O’Sullivan, who has been at the forefront of Hearn’s attempts to freshen up the sport’s image, last year withdrew from the Shanghai Masters, where he was the defending champion, and from 10 of the 12 new lower-ranking events.

But O’Sullivan, whose attendance record has seen him fall to number 10 in the world, appeared to be at his mercurial best as he played Jimmy White in an online exhibition in midweek and at the inaugural Snooker Shootout in Blackpool at the weekend.

With that in mind, Hearn told reporters: “When I took over he was my flag-bearer but now he’s dropped the flag.

“I don’t care if Ronnie doesn’t play but what he can’t do is enter and pull out at the last minute, without very good reason.

“It’s his face on all the posters in Germany; it’s a very important tournament for us as we try to develop the European market and an awful lot of people are going to be disappointed he’s not there.

“This can’t go on. Ronnie’s very likeable when he wants to be but he should start considering his future in the game and his responsibilities to it.”