Mark Selby BACKS Shaun Murphy’s claim following shock UK Championship exit

Snooker’s reigning world champion and No 1-ranked participant Mark Selby agrees with Shaun Murphy’s view that amateurs shouldn’t be allowed to play in skilled tournaments.

World No 6 Murphy made the headlines on Wednesday after a rare rant following his first-round elimination on the UK Championship by 19-year-old novice Si Jiahui.

The World Snooker tour have allowed gamers like Si to enter the UK Championship by way of the ‘top-up’ system, whereby if 128 professionals should not obtainable then amateurs can fill the slots. The identical system is utilized in different tournaments too. 

Shaun Murphy was not completely satisfied after his first-round defeat on the UK Championship this week

Mark Selby threw his weight behind Murphy

Murphy argued that this creates an unfair benefit as amateurs are ‘not enjoying with the identical pressures’ – and Selby agrees.

‘I feel plenty of gamers agree with him,’ the four-time world champion informed BBC Sport. ‘Because [Shaun] stated it after he misplaced, individuals most likely suppose it’s bitter grapes and he would not have stated it if he had gained – however I completely stand by every thing he stated.

‘There’s a purpose there’s a Q [qualifying] School to attempt to get on [the professional tour], and if you aren’t getting on, it’s best to have to attend one other 12 months and play within the novice occasions.’

Three-time world champion Mark Williams additionally agrees with Murphy. 

He informed BBC Sport: ‘I texted [Jason] Ferguson [World Snooker chairman] the opposite day saying: “If you are going to have top-ups then stop the top-ups having every tournament”. How is that truthful? There is not any strain and they’re free rolling.’

After his defeat, Murphy angrily informed BBC Radio 5 Live: ‘I really feel extraordinarily onerous finished by that I’ve misplaced to somebody who should not even be within the constructing.

‘I do not know why we as a sport permit amateurs to compete in skilled tournaments. This is our livelihood. This is our dwelling. We are self-employed people and never contracted sportsmen. We do not play for a workforce. 

The 19-year-old Si Jiahui earned a memorable win over former world champion Murphy

‘The different runners and riders within the event, it’s their livelihood too. It is improper, for my part, to stroll into any person who just isn’t enjoying with the identical pressures and issues I’m. 

‘He performed like a person who doesn’t have a care on this planet, as a result of he doesn’t have a care on this planet. It just isn’t truthful, it’s not proper. Amateurs shouldn’t be allowed in skilled tournaments, the tip.

‘This is our livelihood. This is how I put meals on the desk. This is how I earn cash. Since turning skilled at 15, I’ve earned the precise to name myself knowledgeable snooker participant. He hasn’t finished that. He should not be on the desk.’