Ronnie O’Sullivan is not good for snooker and should retire, says Hossein Vafaei

Hossein Vafaei says it is time for Ronnie O’Sullivan to retire and let the younger generation grow snooker, believing the six-time world champion is disrespectful and talks down the sport too much.

Vafaei became the first Iranian to qualify for the Crucible on Wednesday night when he beat Lei Peifan 10-9 on the final black in the deciding frame at World Championship qualification.

The 27-year-old is passionate about representing his country on the sport’s biggest stage and believes his increasing success in snooker is making the game bigger and bigger in Iran.

The Prince of Persia not only wants to boost snooker’s profile at home, but globally, and he is not impressed with how, he believes, the sport’s biggest name does not try to do so as well.

After winning his first qualifier earlier in the week, Vafaei mentioned some past O’Sullivan comments, saying: ‘I think on TV they asked that of Ronnie O’Sullivan, he said, “If I was in his situation I’d rather have another job.”

‘But no. I will never give up. I’m working hard for my people, to make them proud, make my country proud and I’m born to make history.’

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Vafaei once again mentioned O’Sullivan’s comments after beating Lei, and asked whether they frustrate him, he told Metro.co.uk: ‘Of course. A lot of things he says frustrates me. What kind of legend are you if you call people numpties?

‘I was and am still good friends with him, but I don’t like that. Maybe he likes it and gives him a good feeling but I think people should treat him