BARRY HEARN poured fuel on the fire today, warning Sheffield City Council that its days of staging the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible are numbered unless it builds a bigger venue.

The Crucible’s current deal for hosting the championships expires in 2027 — its 50th anniversary — however Hearn, the former World Snooker chairman and president of Matchroom, said there was no room for sentiment when it comes to making profit. “It’s all about the money,” he added.

Even seven-time winner Ronnie O’Sullivan suggested the championships should be moved to either Saudi Arabia or China in order to “maximise profit potential,” while player Hossein Vafaei labelled the iconic Crucible “smelly” and compared practice room facilities to playing in a garage.