Snooker star Mark Allen was once fined for a foul-mouthed rant aimed at former World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn, the father of famous boxing promoter Eddie Hearn. The world No. 3 was given a formal warning for his conduct in 2011, as well as being asked to pay £250.
Allen took aim at Hearn following a first-round victory during the UK Championship, when he cruised past Adrian Gunnell with ease. The Northern Irishman took the opportunity in his post-match speech to criticise Hearn and suggest he step down from his position just 18 months after he was appointed, despite being voted in by the players.
The chairman looked to make some tweaks to several of the major tournaments upon his arrival, making use of his experience in other sports, in the hope of raising the profile of snooker. As a result, the first and second-round matches of the UK Championship were reduced from 17 frames to 11, much to the annoyance of Allen.
Speaking after the match in York, he exclaimed: “The players don’t really matter, so **** the players. When Barry came in, one of the first things he said was that the World Championships, UK and Masters wouldn’t be touched. Only 18 months later, the UK format has changed.
“I don’t think he’s pleasing too many players, but anyone who voted for him has only got themselves to blame. I wasn’t one of them. I’ve got no doubt he’ll tweak the World Championship. Barry’s just there to make money for himself, it doesn’t really matter about the players. The whole tradition of the game is going to pot.
“It’s not all about bringing people in to watch and have a good time, shouting and having a drink. He [Hearn] needs to get away from the darts factor. It’s getting close to that. I think in the long run he’ll probably do good for snooker, but not for my generation. It’s time to let someone else have a go.”
The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association soon intervened to fine Allen for his outburst, with Hearn also revealing that he felt the remarks were ‘slanderous’. Despite not seeing eye to eye at the time, Allen eventually grew fond of the World Snooker chairman and was full of praise for him after he announced that he was leaving his post in 2021.
Speaking after the news, Allen said: “Where we were in 2010, we didn’t even feel like snooker players, and now we’re complaining we’re overworked – it’s been an amazing turnaround. We’ve had a few disagreements over the years but he’s always been the first to support every single charity event I’ve ever done over the last 10 years, and he will be sadly missed. What they’ve done in this Covid year has been phenomenal, miles above any other sport and that’s a testament to Barry and his team.”
