SNOOKER fans have blasted a ban on football shirts at next week’s World Championship.
World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn wants to smarten up the tournament’s image for global TV, and avoid bust-ups between rival footie supporters.
But Brian Wright, a front-row regular in his Coventry City shirt, said: “This is a disgrace. Do they want us to sit there in bow ties and waistcoats?
“They are trying to replace proper fans with the corporate hospitality lot who watch one frame then disappear to the bar.
“An empty seat looks far worse than a football top.
“As for problems between rival fans that is absolute rubbish.”
World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn wants to smarten up snooker’s image[/caption]
Brian, 48, has seen over 600 matches in 29 years at Sheffield’s Crucible theatre and proposed to wife Lisa at the 2012 event.
He said: “I’ll be in my top again this year. If they make me change it I guess I’ll have to but I will be devastated.”
Tickets for early-round games cost up to £65. Fan John Maruszczak said: “I pay a lot of money so should wear what I want within reason. Sportswear is reasonable.”
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Hearn, 69, said the move will bring snooker in line with darts, also run by his Matchroom Sport.
He added: “If you have fans of rivals teams next to each other, we run the risk of trouble.
“It probably wouldn’t happen, but why take the chance?
“Sitting in the front row of a global event watched by 500million people, I’d rather people dressed for a quality, top-end event.”
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