Other Sport
Snooker star in China rant
2012-03-01 13:02
London - World snooker chiefs have hit out at Northern Ireland's Mark Allen over disparaging remarks about China made on micro-blogging site Twitter, it was reported on Thursday.
World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association chairperson Jason Ferguson said Allen's comments were "extremely disappointing" and said the governing body planned to investigate, The Daily Mirror reported.
In a series of tweets, some of which were later deleted, Allen lashed out at facilities in China which is currently hosting the Haikou China Open.
"This place is horrendous! Dead cat found this morning. Any wonder this place stinks! Must be dead cats all round the town!!" Allen wrote.
"Journey a nightmare. People are ignorant. Place stinks. Arena's rubbish, tables poor, food is horrendous. Other than that I love China."
After deleting the post, Allen updated his Twitter page to say, "Might've been a bit harsh a few hours ago in my tweet. Not all Chinese people are ignorant. I stand by everything else though," he added.
WPBSA chief Ferguson voiced dismay over Allen's remarks.
"Mark Allen's comments are extremely disappointing considering that China is a great friend of our sport," he said.
"There has been a massive effort from China to support our players and I am sure this is an isolated view from one player.
"Our players must understand that their views expressed in the public arena can have a catastrophic effect on the game's development.
"These comments will now be reviewed by the WPBSA disciplinary committee."
Allen later posted another sarcastic tweet in response to the criticism of his remarks.
"From now on I will be a robot with no opinions or feelings. Hope that keeps everyone off my back for a while. Peace out!!!," he wrote.