Former world champion Shaun Murphy defends the Crucible as “holy ground” for snooker players

Shaun Murphy Defends Crucible Theatre Amid Criticism

Former world champion Shaun Murphy has come to the defense of the iconic Crucible Theatre in Sheffield after world number 19 Hossein Vafaei criticized the venue, calling his comments “almost sacrilege.”

Vafaei had described the Crucible as having a bad smell, likening the practice room to a garage, and suggesting that the World Snooker Championship should be moved elsewhere. However, Murphy, who won his first world title in 2005, strongly disagreed with Vafaei’s remarks.

“This is a working theatre, it’s not a purpose-built snooker venue,” Murphy stated. “But this is holy ground. It’s almost sacrilege for a professional snooker player to be so openly critical of our home.”

Murphy, who faces Scotland’s Stephen Maguire in the last 16 later this week, expressed disappointment in Vafaei’s comments, questioning whether they were helping the sport grow. He emphasized the importance of respecting the history and tradition of the venue, which has been hosting the World Snooker Championship since 1977.

While some, including Vafaei and seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, have suggested moving the tournament to other locations like China or Saudi Arabia, Murphy believes the event should remain at the Crucible.

“I don’t want the snooker to leave here,” Murphy said. “The World Championship should stay in this building, but it’s economics, it’s our biggest event in our smallest building.”

As a non-executive player director on the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) board, Murphy highlighted the emotional attachment many UK players have to the venue, suggesting that Vafaei may not share the same sentiment.

In conclusion, Murphy urged Vafaei to remember the significance of the Crucible for snooker players and emphasized that while he may choose not to return, others cherish the venue as a sacred place for the sport.