World Snooker Championship star lashes out after BBC snub as players 'in trouble'

Snooker star Mark Allen has hit out at the authorities following his progression into the second round of the World Championships in Sheffield. Allen was involved in a comfortable contest against Robbie Williams, with the Northern Irishman calling for increased coverage of high-ranking players.

Allen’s dream of being crowned world champion is still alive after his first-round win, but the tournament’s third seed has blasted the organisers and broadcasters for their coverage of the event. Speaking after his crucible win, Allen suggested he and his fellow snooker stars haven’t been provided with fair treatment.

He told SportsBoom.com: “I'm not going to name names, but I had a chat with someone in and around the WST and that media circle and they said that Luca [Brecel] wasn't a big enough name to give coverage to and he's the world champion… So, if that's the person we’re dealing with, we're all in trouble.”

Allen was left furious after neither session from his first-round win over Williams was selected for TV coverage by the BBC. Commenting on his desire to be involved in televised matches, he said: “No, I'd rather play on TV. That's what we play for. That's why we try and win and get up the rankings for, but it doesn't seem to account for much.

"I’ve been down this road before, things are slightly better, but it could be better still. If the face doesn’t fit, then maybe something else needs to change.”

The contest itself was fairly routine for Allen, who despite conceding six frames to qualifier Williams, kept his nose in front throughout. Speaking after the match, Allen said: “I always felt I had another few gears to up [in the first session] and felt I was always in control.

“It was very scrappy today. I didn’t quite feel in control but I was happy with how I finished. There’s a lot of room for improvement after that. At 9-4 I felt I’d done the work but I just felt a bit flat. Then whenever he made a couple of breaks to make it 9-6 I switched back on and was really up for that last frame so it was a good break in the end.”

Before finishing up by saying: “There’s not many upsets these days as the standard is so high. None of that would put pressure on me. the only pressure that’s on me is from myself and that’s always been the case. I don’t care what other people think.

“I want to be world champion and I want to be world No.1. But I can’t think of that when I’m out there. I just have to think about the shot ahead and that’s what I’ve been doing pretty well lately. I just need to continue to do that and the rest will take care of itself."