Mark Allen: World number four targets 'peaceful resolution' to player contract concerns

Mark Allen goes into the UK Championship as defending champion

Mark Allen is seeking a "peaceful resolution" to contract concerns when he and other players meet with snooker bosses during the UK Championship.

Allen recently criticised World Snooker Tour (WST), saying the game was in "disarray" and that player contracts were "very restrictive".

He later apologised on X, saying: "I regret and sincerely apologise for making these comments."

Allen said he wants "all our cards on the table" in the meeting.

The world number four added: "Some of the issues I have are the same things that Ronnie [O'Sullivan] has said, so hopefully we can get a peaceful resolution because it's obviously not ideal.

"It's not ideal for me to be sitting here doing an interview when I can't speak about things and be open and honest and I feel at the moment I can't be."

In an interview prior to Allen's latest comments, World Snooker chairman Steve Dawson said: "I would disagree with the contention that the contract is bad in any sense. It is actually very open in terms of other sporting contracts.

"Choosing venues is a difficult thing in snooker. We do accept that we need to upgrade those facilities constantly and look to move events to bigger venues, better locations and better facilities.

"It is super obvious to me that when players are making statements they need to check if it is something that could be potentially damaging.

"They can pick the phone up to me. I'm accessible at any time of the day. Players may not like the answers sometimes but in reality we are there to talk to."

• O'Sullivan, Allen & Trump head contenders for UK Championship

• Allen gets Ding opener in repeat of 2022 UK final

Allen's original comments were made after five players faced potential disciplinary action over their decision to take part in an exhibition event in Macau instead of appearing at this year's Northern Ireland Open.

That action was averted when the event was moved to December with WST permission.

In October, Allen told BBC Northern Ireland he was "firmly in the players' camp" over the dispute and that players needed to "be stronger and stand up to World Snooker and renegotiate this contract because it's very restrictive of what we can and can't do".

He also told the Irish Mirror that "the game is in disarray, it's gone nowhere in recent years".

That led to him apologising on X, saying the comments were "damaging and I unreservedly withdraw them".

Allen added: "[I] look forward to working with World Snooker in the future to ensure our great sport, and the players that make it, reaches its full potential and delivers for fans around the world."

Seven-time world champion O'Sullivan told BBC Sport this week he was at a "crossroads" with snooker's governing body and could quit the sport if he has to reduce the time he spends in China.

O'Sullivan said: "There's not enough here for me in the UK to justify the effort that I put in. When I go to China I play in great venues, great crowds, great prize money. And I love it."

Speaking before the UK Championship starts in York on Saturday, Allen, who goes into the tournament as defending champion, told BBC Sport: "I think you'd be surprised at how many players are feeling the same way; unfortunately they are not as vocal as the likes of Ronnie and myself."

He believes him having to apologise "probably scares a few players".

Allen added: "They're maybe thinking that 'I don't want to get into trouble' if Mark or Ronnie are getting into trouble for things they've said. It's important for the players to have a voice too. There needs to be a balance and that's something I'll be discussing this week with WST."