POT BLACKMAIL

Ronnie warns bosses: Stop threatening stars

- HECTOR NUNNS

RONNIE O’Sullivan claims snooker bosses’ tactics to make players take part in the Northern Ireland Open verged on blackmail.

And the seven-time world champion insists he could even skip the Crucible if the right exhibition offer came up in Asia.

The issue of players’ freedom to enjoy bumper sideline paydays has erupted over the past 10 days and led to governing body warnings about legal action.

Mark Selby, John Higgins and Luca Brecel were among those to snub the Belfast event to play a big-money exhibition in Macau. That has now been postponed after World Snooker Tour pressure.