Mark Allen says Ronnie O'Sullivan is GOAT but he is 'law unto himself' and should show 'more respect'

Northern Ireland’s top potter Mark Allen feels Ronnie O’Sullivan is shortchanging paying punters by pulling out of events last minute.

The Rocket, 48, has made a habit of withdrawing from tournaments at short notice in the last couple of seasons. The seven-time world champion snubbed EIGHT UK-based events at the eleventh hour. And the trend has continued this season as the game’s biggest star has skipped three tournaments at short notice.

Antrim ace Allen, who resumes his Champion of Champions title defence in Friday night's semi-final, said: “He’s the biggest draw in our sport, let’s be honest. People want to come and see him.

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“He doesn’t get forced to play in anything, but it’s not great for the fans, especially if he pulls out of something last minute.

“From a fans point of view, or a sponsor or a promoter, it’s not ideal if your main draw in the sport is pulling out of your event at the last minute. Maybe he could should a bit more respect in that way.

“He’s always been a bit of a law unto himself.

“Ronnie’s still the best in the world and that will never change. He’s the greatest of all time but some of his decisions are strange at times.

“I couldn’t care less what he does, I genuinely couldn’t. It’s one of those things, he’s done it throughout his career and he’s continued to do it.

“At the end of the day, he’s well within his rights to do it. Let’s be honest, if he doesn’t want to play an event he doesn’t have to.”

Allen has always dazzled at the illustrious 16-man invitational event.

He hammered Judd Trump 10-3 in last year’s showpiece to become only the third multiple winner of the event behind O’Sullivan (four) and Neil Robertson (also two).

Allen, who has reached at least the semi-finals in seven of his last eight appearances, added: “I’ve always enjoyed this event even when I wasn’t doing so well in my early years here.

“You feel like it’s a major, major event. It’s all the tournament winners from the last 12 months, it’s people who should be in form.

“These are the events you want to be a part of.”

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