Passionate Shaun Murphy told big-mouthed Hossein Vafaei to “educate himself” and “don’t come back” after he slagged off the historic Crucible Theatre.
Iranian World No.19 Vafaei lashed out at the sport’s spiritual home, which has staged snooker’s biggest event since 1977, claiming it stinks and needs a facelift. But potting purist Murphy, who hammered qualifier Lyu Haotian 10-5, replied: “He said he doesn't want to come back...don't come back. He doesn't have to, he's not forced to come here. Don't come. This is holy ground and it's almost sacrilege for a professional snooker player to be so openly critical about our home.
“Hossein should educate himself on how our tour works and the relationships with WST and our broadcast partners, our venues and how special these places are. Perhaps it's not as special to Hossein as the rest of us, maybe he didn't come here as a nine-year-old child as I did and remember running up that road after Steve Davis for his autograph. Maybe he doesn't have those memories to draw on, but this is holy ground for snooker players and Hossein should remember that. I was always taught by my mum, if you haven't got anything nice to say, don't say anything.”
Talks surrounding the event moving away from the iconic venue once the current deal ends in 2027 have grown in recent years. But former world champion Murphy added: “This is a working theatre, it's not a purpose-built snooker venue. We're coming up on the 50th anniversary of snooker being here.
“If World Snooker Tour turned up tomorrow to do a site visit, they probably wouldn't come here because it's not big enough. There's nothing we can do about that. I don't want the snooker to leave here, I want specifically the World Championships...I don't
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