Snooker news: Ronnie O’Sullivan offers solution for match fixing

O’Sullivan made the claim after the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) sanctioned three players in May.

Welshman David John and Chinese players Yu Delu and Cao Yupeng have been suspended by snooker’s governing body.

But O’Sullivan took to social media to voice his views.

“Match fixing in snooker, I’m not sure punishing the players is the answer,” he wrote on Twitter.

“The real question should be why do the players feel the need to do this?

“I have my own theory.”

Following a suspension, the players then attend formal hearings at a later date.

O’Sullivan claims that current expenses “kill the players ranked outside the top 16” and has suggested that one way to combat the high costs of participation is to increase the money paid to all professionals.

“Maybe decrease the amount of small events and make the events you do have price effective for everyone,” he said.

“Have more players if you like, but don’t put the players in a position where to make a living becomes unsustainable.

“Everyone eating is always a good thing in my book.”

World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn has previously said that prize money is going deeper into the 128 professionals on the circuit.

But O’Sullivan feels attention should be focused on why some players feel the need to match-fix and find ways to stop it from happening.

“Whatever you do, no player on the main tour should end the season minus £30,000, and, trust me, there are a high percentage that are,” he said.

“A players’ union is the only way forward. Players stick together and changes will happen, no players no game.

“Some players will stick but I know others who can be picked off. Divide and rule never works for the long term benefit of the all players.”