Snooker: Mark Allen is sorry for ‘cheat’ slur
MARK ALLEN last night issued an apology for claiming Chinese players are more likely to cheat.
Allen sparked a storm after accusing Cao Yupeng, 21, of playing a push shot – striking the cue ball twice – but not declaring it during the Chinese player’s 10-6 victory in the Betfred.com World Championship at The Crucible.
In a statement, Allen said: “I would like to formally apologise to anyone who may have been offended. I over-stepped the line when heavily influenced by the emotions of a disappointing defeat.
“And I apologise to Cao Yupeng if he felt my comments were insinuating he was a cheat.
“I would also like to apologise to World Snooker. I appreciate the hard work by many people to grow our sport and I am truly horrified to think that my actions could be perceived as being detrimental to this.”
Yesterday Ronnie O’Sullivan, who mid-session sported a new spiky haircut, cruised into the last 16 of the tournament with an impressive 10-4 win over Peter Ebdon.
I would like to formally apologise to anyone who may have been offended. I over-stepped the line when heavily influenced by the emotions of a disappointing defeat.
“Anyone who writes off Ronnie is crazy. He is a genius and I believe he can win this,” said Ebdon.
Tournament favourite Judd Trump, last year’s runner-up, was violently sick minutes before his match against Welshman Dominic Dale.
But he battled back from 3-1 down to take a 5-4 lead into today’s decisive frames.