The news conference of Ronnie O'sullivan & Marco Fu

[Littlesense]

I think what has to be taken on board as well is that people are judging o'sullivan on his past behaviour as well as China which he has already although perhaps very lamely been punished for already, meaning to some what ever World snooker comes up with will never be enough. World snooker need to start laying down some firm rules not for o'sullivans sake but for snooker and any other young players coming into the game on the whole.
Times have changed slightly from O'sullivans born and raised in a dingy backstreet club but i feel World snooker should still be helping to guide their young players and to help them to install morals and a stable lifestyle, something that football often lacks too. One problem in snooker is the differance in earnings you can fine a player like Higgins £50,000 for poor behaviour and it not mean as much but to someone like Steven Lee he couldnt afford it. It is very hard for World snooker to reach a sensible punishment that can be used across the board but they have got to start looking for one and start using it when problems arise.

[frameandfortunereturns]

Pfff easy words - Snooker , quite dull compared to football for example, needs players like OSullivan. And what he said in China is wrong and perhaps a crime to the old fashioned tradition of snooker. I agree to punish him but the punishment should not be 'snooker related' as he didn't steal any ranking points or any titled he played for. So this is really overdone, worst things happened in sport than this. Much ado about nothing after all.

I disagree with everything you have just said. Football is massively overrated. Snooker doesn't need O'Sullivan. Furthermore if you think his comments were acceptable then maybe you have a few Asbo's or their equivalent depending on where you're from.

O'Sullivan is near the end of his career so I take you will not be watching when he retires?

[frameandfortunereturns]

I think what has to be taken on board as well is that people are judging o'sullivan on his past behaviour as well as China which he has already although perhaps very lamely been punished for already, meaning to some what ever World snooker comes up with will never be enough. World snooker need to start laying down some firm rules not for o'sullivans sake but for snooker and any other young players coming into the game on the whole.
Times have changed slightly from O'sullivans born and raised in a dingy backstreet club but i feel World snooker should still be helping to guide their young players and to help them to install morals and a stable lifestyle, something that football often lacks too. One problem in snooker is the differance in earnings you can fine a player like Higgins £50,000 for poor behaviour and it not mean as much but to someone like Steven Lee he couldnt afford it. It is very hard for World snooker to reach a sensible punishment that can be used across the board but they have got to start looking for one and start using it when problems arise.

Good point.

What has been forgotten here is his on table performance in China. That was a disgrace also.

[Wim]

I disagree with everything you have just said. Football is massively overrated. Snooker doesn't need O'Sullivan. Furthermore if you think his comments were acceptable then maybe you have a few Asbo's or their equivalent depending on where you're from.

O'Sullivan is near the end of his career so I take you will not be watching when he retires?

You have the right to disagree and the right to crucify OSullivan each time you log on to this forum...

[Semih_Sayginer]

I think what has to be taken on board as well is that people are judging o'sullivan on his past behaviour as well as China which he has already although perhaps very lamely been punished for already, meaning to some what ever World snooker comes up with will never be enough. World snooker need to start laying down some firm rules not for o'sullivans sake but for snooker and any other young players coming into the game on the whole.
Times have changed slightly from O'sullivans born and raised in a dingy backstreet club but i feel World snooker should still be helping to guide their young players and to help them to install morals and a stable lifestyle, something that football often lacks too. One problem in snooker is the differance in earnings you can fine a player like Higgins £50,000 for poor behaviour and it not mean as much but to someone like Steven Lee he couldnt afford it. It is very hard for World snooker to reach a sensible punishment that can be used across the board but they have got to start looking for one and start using it when problems arise.

good post

i dont judge ROS on his past erm, good behaviour, as, well...anyway

the point about WS needing to show the way i believe is already being done, but maybe needs improved

the point about it needing to deal with the ROS of the snooker world has been about for ten years or more. it gets glossed over anytime it could be dealt with severely.

the point about fines being harsh to some than others could POSSIBLY be balanced out with a certain scale of punishment being introduced depending on offence. like a % of the yearly income from ranking events alone for that season. fine paid at the end of the season or next years banned until the fine is paid / challenged by the fined person on appeal. it may seem too strict but im sure some kind of structured penalty be published

also, one thing in this case that would cost folk is to have them do a certain amount of days coaching, at a specific venue, on specific dates with notice of 1 month say. that way the players FREE time is not free due to their own actions. failure to do the coaching sessions etc could result in loss of points, again set out how many you lose for non participation.

theres a few loopholes in these ideas, but the general idea, with more work, would be better than the at present "chaos" of the WSA

[Wim]

good post

i dont judge ROS on his past erm, good behaviour, as, well...anyway

the point about WS needing to show the way i believe is already being done, but maybe needs improved

the point about it needing to deal with the ROS of the snooker world has been about for ten years or more. it gets glossed over anytime it could be dealt with severely.

the point about fines being harsh to some than others could POSSIBLY be balanced out with a certain scale of punishment being introduced depending on offence. like a % of the yearly income from ranking events alone for that season. fine paid at the end of the season or next years banned until the fine is paid / challenged by the fined person on appeal. it may seem too strict but im sure some kind of structured penalty be published

also, one thing in this case that would cost folk is to have them do a certain amount of days coaching, at a specific venue, on specific dates with notice of 1 month say. that way the players FREE time is not free due to their own actions. failure to do the coaching sessions etc could result in loss of points, again set out how many you lose for non participation.

theres a few loopholes in these ideas, but the general idea, with more work, would be better than the at present "chaos" of the WSA

This approach is much more positive than the 'crucifying theory' I read on other posts. But indeed some (arbitrary) balanced rules are to be installed and in a way that the whole snooker world can benefit from it - so I tend to agree with this. And of course a player refusing such 'contribution'
should be fined severely and rankings points should be taken away.
So ROS should not get away with what he did by only paying.

[Semih_Sayginer]

This approach is much more positive than the 'crucifying theory' I read on other posts. But indeed some (arbitrary) balanced rules are to be installed and in a way that the whole snooker world can benefit from it - so I tend to agree with this. And of course a player refusing such 'contribution'
should be fined severely and rankings points should be taken away.
So ROS should not get away with what he did by only paying.

indeed Wim.

ive never doubted the guys ability. his behaviour and things he says make me dislike him. each to their own. others dislike ones i like. the fault lies with ROS for his actions, but WS dont do themselves any favours by not appearing very organised or balanced when it comes to this sort of thing.

[JanieWatkins]

PRESS RELEASE FROM 110 sport

WORLD CHAMPION O'SULLIVAN LOOKING FORWARD

110sport snooker star Ronnie O'Sullivan is looking to the future having received his punishment for his inappropriate comments at the China Open earlier this season.

This season's 888.com World and UK champion has been fined for his post-match press conference comments in Beijing, and has also been docked his first round ranking points for the event.

O'Sullivan, the new world No 1, has apologised for his comments and wants to put the incident behind him - and he has expressed a fresh interest to help promote the sport.

Dubbed the 'Rocket' for his speed around the table, the three-time Crucible champion has apologised to his sponsors, his fans and as many people as he can who have been offended by his comments.

A 110sport spokesman said: "Ronnie regrets what has happened and he has accepted his punishment.

"He realises he made a mistake in China, but he never intended to offend anyone. He wants to forget what happened and move forward.

"He has apologised to World Snooker, the promoter of the China Open, his fans and also to his sponsors.

"He is keen to get on with his career and continue demonstrating why he is regarded as the best player in the world."

[Semih_Sayginer]

dont think that losing a small amount of ranking points and a fine will bother him too much. at least something was done about it and everyone can move on, no matter whether folk think the punishment too soft, too harsh or just right.

[Monique]

dont think that losing a small amount of ranking points and a fine will bother him too much. at least something was done about it and everyone can move on, no matter whether folk think the punishment too soft, too harsh or just right.

I subscribe to that. Whatever the decision is, WSA was far to slow to come up with. This isn't right for anyone.

Roll on the next season ...

[Semih_Sayginer]

I subscribe to that. Whatever the decision is, WSA was far to slow to come up with. This isn't right for anyone.

Roll on the next season ...

indeed Mon. ive said it before on here. there needs to be a more concrete system in place regarding matters like this. what we have at present is far from ideal which makes late decisions like this and the actual punishment seem "watered down". its done. move on IMO, but get more structure for this kind of thing WS!

[Ekphantos]

I agree with Dave that the information policy is unacceptable:
http://snookerscene.blogspot.com/:
"However, we only know he was punished at all because his management company, 110sport, issued a statement."

[scoo24]

It looks like everyone's happy now... Well, ALMOST everyone...

[Monique]

WSA comminiqué ...

http://www.worldsnooker.com/news_edi...8%29-19430.htm

A Disciplinary Hearing took place on Thursday 5 June, 2008 before the Disciplinary Committee of the WPBSA to establish whether Mr Ronnie O’Sullivan, a member of the Association, was in breach of the Association’s Disciplinary Rules following reports concerning his conduct during a post match press conference at the Honghe Industrial China Open on 26 March, 2008.

Mr O’Sullivan admitted in written submissions to being in breach of the rules and apologised unreservedly for his behaviour.

The Committee ordered that Mr O’Sullivan should forfeit the 700 ranking points and £2,750 prize money earned in the Honghe Industrial China Open 2008, the costs of the disciplinary hearing to be met from the prize money forfeited.

The Committee was considering a further penalty by way of a fine, suspended against Mr O’Sullivan’s future good behaviour. However, in respect of the apology offered and Mr O’Sullivan’s intent to work closely with World Snooker, the Committee has decided to put its trust in Mr O’Sullivan’s assurances and to give him a clean slate for the start of the new season.

There will be no further comment on this matter.

[João]

WOW.. That makes a difference.

He doesn't even go China that often so that prize money / ranking points won't really matter.