Mark Allen is still pushing for change in snooker and wants to sit down with decision-makers to come to an amicable solution over some issues in the sport.
The Pistol has been at odds with World Snooker Tour this season, claiming that the game is in ‘disarray’ suggesting that players boycott events to force change.
However, he went on to withdraw those comments and apologise, posting on social media: ‘In a recent media interview with the Irish Mirror, 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.
‘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 world.’
The world number four has taken issue with scheduling of the WST calendar and the controversy surrounding The Macau Five as a quintet of players were barred from playing in an exhibition in China during the Northern Ireland Open.
Allen might not railing against the powers that be anymore, but he still wants changes made and wants to work with WST to achieve them, warning the bosses that players need to be onside for the game to not just thrive, but survive.
‘I think the players ultimately hold the power. Without the top players, the game doesn’t survive, so I think changes are needed,’ Allen said, via the BBC.
‘I think the sport is a long way away from being what it can be. I’m happy to sit down with the people that make those decisions in a quiet room and discuss it.
‘Hopefully we can sit down and amicably come to a good settlement.’
On the table, Allen is looking to regain the fine form of last season when he won three ranking titles and reached the semi-finals of the World Championship.
It has been a relatively average start to the current season, but he is into the Champion of Champions semi-finals this week, preparing to take on John Higgins on Saturday.
He has big goals this campaign, the biggest in the game, and hopes to finish the season in the ultimate style.
‘I want to be world number one. I want to be world champion. It hasn’t been the best start to the season but there is a long way to go, a lot of tournaments to go,’ he said.
‘I still believe I can finish [the season as world number one]. If I win the world championship, that takes care of both.
‘They are the ultimate goals. When I first lifted a cue at 12 years of age, that’s what I wanted to be – world number one and world champion.’
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