‘I should’ve refused to play’ – World Seniors star’s plea ‘snubbed’ | Other | Sport
Alfie Burden has said he should have refused to play after his opening match at the World Seniors Championship was relegated to a practice room. The defending champion was left “heartbroken” after a problem with one of the two match tables forced his clash with Igor Figueiredo on Thursday night to be moved backstage.
It later emerged that a floor slate had dropped, causing an uneven table. Matthew Stevens versus Dominic Dale, whose match had started on the problem table, was paused before eventually resuming on the other table after the conclusion of the tie between Ali Carter and Roger Farebrother. Meanwhile, in the practice room, Burden lost 4-0, meaning he didn’t get to defend his crown in front of the Crucible crowd, although friends and family were allowed to watch.
After his exit, Burden posted on X: “To say I’m disappointed would be a huge understatement, don’t remember feeling this low after a snooker event… I wasn’t in the mental state of mind to play that match in a practice room to be honest. I was in a state of shock at what was unfolding. Literally heartbroken.”
He then added on Saturday that his request to postpone the match to Friday in the main arena was denied. He wrote: “Can I make it perfectly clear I wasn’t given an option to play my match in the morning.
“I asked [if] could I play the next morning [and] was flatly refused. Was told I had to play in the cupboard. Dale [and] Stevens was given a choice, I wasn’t and I should have refused to play.”
He then added: “But I’d like is line drawn under this now…. Good luck to the remaining 4 players left in the event.”
Burden has received an apology from World Seniors Snooker boss Jason Francis, who told Express Sport on Friday: “I’ve written to Igor and Alfie and apologised that we were unable to provide a table for them to play on.
“Alfie’s very upset but we’re not going to fall out over it. We spoke last night, we’ve spoken this morning. I’m devastated for Alfie; he’s one of my world champions.
“But you can’t just let everyone stay at the venue until the early hours and the TV keeps running. I had a decision to make. I’m across the whole picture, which is broadcast times, public safety and theatre times. I understand people’s disappointment and we apologise.”
Francis added: “We feel disappointed that we were unable to complete all the matches on table two, meaning Alfie and Igor had to play in the practice room. We did allow all their families and guests in. It wasn’t like a cupboard. We provided the best conditions we could.”
Francis declined to comment further to Express Sport when asked about Burden’s claim that his request to play on Friday was turned down.
The Rocket will play the winner of Saturday night’s semi-final between Craig Steadman and Joe Perry. Sunday’s best-of-19 final, which begins at 12.30pm, will be broadcast live on Channel 5.
