Mark Allen apologises for criticism of World Snooker Tour

Mark Allen has apologised for his criticism of the World Snooker Tour after suggesting last week that the game was in "disarray" and that a player revolt may be necessary for change.

Those past comments from the Antrim native came in the context of a dispute between the WST and some of the sport's leading players amid a scheduling clash involving the ongoing Northern Ireland Open and a non-sanctioned event in Macau.

Allen, whose hopes of winning a third consecutive Northern Ireland Open ended on Tuesday night, had previously offered strong criticism of the WST.

"The game is in disarray. It has gone nowhere in recent years," he said last week.

"I don't think anything will change until the players revolt. We need to boycott collectively. Top players missing an event is the only way it will change.

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"The statements WST have been putting out are amateurish. To say they've treated the players with respect is laughable when there have been threats of suing and banning them."

But the world number three has now said that he is withdrawing those remarks and issued an apology.

"I made comments about players not playing in WST events, as well as other comments about World Snooker which were damaging and I unreservedly withdraw them," he posted on social media.

"I regret and sincerely apologise for making these comments, and look forward to working with World Snooker in the future to ensure our great sport, and the players that make it, reaches its full potential and delivers for fans around the