'Just words' - Ronnie O'Sullivan dismisses Hossein Vafaei 'retire' attack as other players weigh in

Ronnie O’Sullivan has shrugged off criticism from snooker rival Hossein Vafaei who described him as ‘not good for the game’ and told the 46-year-old to retire from the sport. The Iranian star launched a scathing verbal attack on O’Sullivan, calling the record 38-time ranking event winner ‘disrespectful’ for his perceived negative attitude to the sport and fellow players. Ad/> Vafaei, 27, also accused O’Sullivan of failing to use his platform to promote the game: «You’ve been in the situation to make the game bigger, why haven’t you done it?” he demanded.

World ChampionshipWorld Snooker Championship: Order of play, schedule and results from the CrucibleYESTERDAY AT 14:47 The comments came just days before the start of the World Championships at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield where both players will be competing as O’Sullivan chases a seventh title, while Vafaei takes part in the main draw for the first time. Asked about the criticism, O’Sullivan brushed off the outburst and refused to take Vafaei's damning appraisal to heart. “There is no reaction other than you know, it’s all fun,” he laughed.

“It's all part and parcel of life. You know, just words at the end of the day. We're just gonna have fun.

“I just find it funny. I find everything funny these days,” he added. “It takes a lot to get me in a bad mood.” Vafaei blasts 'disrespectful' O'Sullivan and urges Rocket to quit after 'numpties' rant 'You're not in the conversation mate' – O'Sullivan reveals what a snooker GOAT must achieve O'Sullivan to face Gilbert in World Championship opener, Trump handed Vafaei test Vafaei’s comments shocked the snooker world and with other players descending on Sheffield, many had their say on the controversy.