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    Ronnie O’Sullivan leads celebs in crowd for Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk as he is joined by Hollywood legend

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    RONNIE O’SULLIVAN led the star names in Saudi Arabia to watch Tyson Fury’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk. The pair put on a 12-round thriller in May with Usyk emerging as the first four-belt undisputed champion in heavyweight history. Jason Statham and his partner Rosie Huntington-WhiteleyCredit: PAStatham and Saudi boxing boss Turki AlalshikhCredit: GettyRonnie O’Sullivan speaks to TNT SportsNow, seven months later and they run it back with Fury bulking up to 20 STONE as he prepares to fight for the first time with a loss. Big names from the world of sport, Hollywood and entertainment stepped out in Riyadh for the occasion. Snooker legend O’Sullivan – who helped launch a series in Saudi – was there in support of Fury. He told TNT Sports: “I think it will be a great fight. It’s good to be here. READ MORE IN BOXING”I don’t really know how to read Fury, he’s a bit unpredictable, a bit unreadable. He’s his own man. “He’s a bit of a maverick so I try not to read too much into it. I just hope he’s had a good training camp and I want him to win.” Movie star Jason Statham had the best ringside seat in the house alongside his partner Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.He donned a black suit and pair of sunglasses – looking like he had just walked off a set of his latest action film. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSStatham had been in Jeddah for the Red Sea International Film Festival. The boxing world was also out in force, heavyweight champions past and present looking dapper. British great Lennox Lewis sat ringside with Wladimir Klitschko – two of the division’s greatest. Daniel Dubois – who inherited the IBF title Usyk vacated – looks to be on a scouting mission. His next opponent, Joseph Parker on February 22, was part of Fury’s team in the dressing room.He was joined by Fury’s wife Paris – who stunned in a floral outfit. Prince Naseem Hamed beamed from ringside and was met with a huge reception. Wladimir Klitschko sits down next to Lennox LewisCredit: GettyParis Fury watching from ringsideCredit: PANaseem Hamed sat next to son SamiCredit: Getty More

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      in Athletics

      ‘I can change the face of this sport’: Barry Hearn reveals failed investment that he regrets the most

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      BARRY HEARN revealed his failed bid to bring gymnastics to the mainstream was his most heartbreaking investment.Hearn, 76, has taken darts, snooker, boxing, pool and tenpin bowling to new heights.Barry Hearn revealed he tried to bring gymnastics to the mainstreamCredit: PA:Press AssociationHearn’s failed attempt to boost gymnastics is his most heartbreaking investmentCredit: GettyAnd the Matchroom Sport president tried to do the same with gymnastics in 2016 but only managed to promote one event.The famous promoter claims the project, which he was very passionate about, never succeeded because of outside interference. Hearn told The Mirror: “I wanted to take over gymnastics, because I think that sport is so brilliant.”I tried two events, but then I bumped into – which I bump into quite a lot – a load of blazers [people in suits].Read More on Gymnastics”When I went into gymnastics, I did a fantastic first event. Then I thought, ‘I can really change the face of this sport’. “And then I just got knocked back [by the governing bodies], because they wanted to keep it to themselves!”I’ve had that with various blazers in various amateur bodies, and it’s very frustrating. I don’t have the time to mess about. I know what I’m doing. I’ve got a reputation built over 50 years. “I can change sports, and I can change people’s lives, but I need everyone to pull together – and so often in sport, they don’t because they’re selfish with their own positions.Most read in Athletics”The people that love their sport but have no real interest in the athletes themselves. And we come from completely different directions. We try and change their lives through money. “I love watching the Olympics, and you should be very proud if you’ve won a medal at the Olympics – but you can’t eat a medal!Barry Hearn sends warning to top darts stars that ‘little Littler Army’ is coming to dominate the sport “We are one of only three countries in the world that don’t pay a bonus for a gold medal, and I find that atrocious. Great Britain – that ‘G’ is looking smaller and smaller. So we need to look after athletes.” More

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      in Soccer

      Who is BBC snooker and ITV sports presenter Seema Jaswal?

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      Seema Jaswal has an outstanding CV in sports broadcasting with appearances across ITV and BBC sports coverage. The 39-year-old from Richmond became the first female presenter to present a Men’s World Cup Quarter final for a UK broadcaster – Morocco vs Portugal for ITV at Qatar 2022.Jaswal also spent three years working for Channel 5’s The Wright StuffNow, Jaswal works with Premier League productions on their global Matchday Live coverage and makes appearances across a wide array of sporting events.ITV employed Jaswal for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, working as a reporter.Since, Jaswal has covered the Premier League, Cricket World Cup, Euro 2020, FA Cup, and 2022 FIFA World Cup.. Jaswal is expected to get involved in more snooker coverageThe presenter has the CV of dreams when it comes to sports broadcasting. Having presented the World Snooker Championship with the BBC, Jaswal is ecurrently on snooker fans’ screens at the UK Championships 2024.She also appeared on Channel 4’s coverage of the BDO Darts and the BBC for Snooker’s Triple Crown events.How old is Seema Jaswal?Jaswal has now been in TV and radio for over a decade, starting her career as a runner for Sky Sports.That is after she got her big break on CBBC presenting Newsround as Sportsround’s ‘roving reporter’ in 2008.Most read in Euro 2024Born in 1985, she is currently 39 years old. Is Seema Jaswal married?Seema’s maiden name is Pathan but she likes to keep her private life out of the public eye.Former England boss Fabio Capello says ‘fear’ will end Euro 2024 dream as he identifies player as the weakest linkShe is married but prefers to keep her husband out the limelight. More

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      in Boxing

      Barry and Eddie Hearn being followed by Netflix cameras for new ‘Succession-style’ documentary – with NOTHING off limits

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      BARRY and Eddie Hearn are being followed around by Netflix cameras for a new documentary – and they claim nothing is off limits.The production brains behind the worldwide success Drive to Survive – which covers Formula One shenanigans – are shadowing the UK’s leading sports promoters.Netflix are making a documentary on Barry and Eddie HearnCredit: GettyNothing will be off the table for sport’s biggest father-and-son duoCredit: Action Images – ReutersThe show will be aired globally in June 2025 and focuses on the fortunes of the Essex-based empire that has fingers in different sporting, commercial and broadcasting pies.Barry, 76, set up Matchroom Sport in 1982, the year after he celebrated protege Steve Davis winning the first of six world snooker championships at the Crucible.Since then, he has made millions in boxing, pool and darts, the latter of which he has transformed into the second most-watched sport on Sky after football.Eddie, 45, has since taken over the reins of the company and put aside a longstanding family grudge with boxing guru Frank Warren to hook up with oil-rich Saudi officials.READ MORE IN SPORTSpeaking to SunSport after he completed the latest episode of The Barry Hearn Show podcast, Barry said: “Everything is a completely open book. It’s going to be fun.“But I’m frightened to have a bath, mate! Because I get up and go, ‘f***ing, who put this microphone on me?’“The title is ‘Matchroom: The Greatest Showmen’. It’s going to go out to 500 million homes. They are spending millions and millions.“The team that are doing it are the ones who did Drive to Survive, so they have a hard act to follow. But they are very excited about it.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“You try to distance yourself from it. It’s a good story. We had Succession, which was almost a take-off of the Murdoch empire.“Well, we are not at that level but it is a similar theme of an old geezer that starts off something, brings up kids in a different world to what he came from.Eddie Hearn reacts wildy in the ring as Katie Taylor beats Amanda SerranoThe Hearns made stars out of boxers such as Anthony Joshua through MatchroomCredit: GettyEddie’s biggest rival in the boxing game is Frank Warren, but the pair are now also working together on some projects alongside the SaudisCredit: Getty“It’s not a power struggle but there are definitely different influences throughout.“But the company has grown bigger and bigger, it’s a global one rather than a British one. There are a lot of good stories.”Barry added: “We asked ourselves: ‘Are we ready for this type of intrusion?“We’ve never allowed anyone behind the scenes access at Matchroom. But we’re very proud to be a successful British company that has added to the sports world.Barry’s snooker empire saw players including Steve Davis become superstarsCredit: RexHis world of darts is growing even more popular thanks to Luke LittlerCredit: Getty“We took the view that if it’s gonna be treated seriously enough and done properly, then now was the time.“They are everywhere. Quite honestly, I’m seeing more of them than I’m seeing my wife and children lately.“They followed me to Atlantic City for my entry at the US Open 9-Ball Pool.“They’re attending board meetings and we are giving them unlimited access because we don’t want any excuses.“We won’t be doing this with anyone else probably in our lifetime and we’re going to make sure it’s a series that is memorable and tells the truth at every level.READ MORE SUN STORIES“We’re gonna give them a good story. There’ll be things in there that’ll shock and entertain people.”The Barry Hearn Show is available on all podcast platforms – with exclusive video episodes on Spotify. More

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      in Soccer

      I’ve covered Man Utd for 25 years and feel sorry for Amorim, if he gets a tune out of this lot he’s football’s Beethoven

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      IT was wonderful to see the adulation and warmth towards Ruben Amorim as he bid farewell in his final home game as Sporting Lisbon manager.And yet despite that stunning 4-1 win over Manchester City, I couldn’t help feeling sorry for him.New Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has a lot of work to doAmorim did an amazing job with Sporting LisbonAmorim took over at Man Utd after leaving SportingAmorim replaced Erik ten Hag who couldn’t improve Man UtdAmorim is facing a major challenge with his new Man Utd teamAt Sporting he has achieved incredible success with two Portuguese Primeira Liga crowns — the first of which ended a 19-year title drought.Understandably he is adored by the fans, even when they knew he was leaving and there is a clear bond between him and the players. He looked a man genuinely content and happy with his life in Lisbon.“Don’t do it Ruben, stay where you are” . . . but it was too late.Amorim had already opted to throw himself into the managerial meat grinder known as the modern-day Manchester United.Read More on Man UtdHe only has to look at the disgraceful treatment of his immediate predecessor to know what he is going into.There was something very unsavoury about the way Amorim was being welcomed to United with all those club social media postings.It was as if he had arrived as a great liberator to take the club into the light after a dark time.Erik ten Hag was a good man. One of the best I have met in my 25 years covering the Red Devils.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe did everything he could to drag that club back up, winning two trophies and getting to another final along the way in his two full seasons.Yet it was clear the new broom being swept through Old Trafford by part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was going to take the Dutchman along with it.Ruben Amorim arrives in Manchester ahead of starting role as Man United managerEven after that so-called show of faith in him over the summer, after everyone else they tried to get to do the job ran a mile.He was always staring at the exit door at a time when 250 staff have brutally been made redundant, against a back drop of cuts that is gradually ripping away a bit more of the soul of this great club.No matter how good he is the squad is poor, for which Ten Hag has to take a major part of the responsibility. Although he never wanted Joshua Zirkzee, an Ineos signing, and we can see why. If Amorim can get a tune out of this lot, then he will be the Ludwig van Beethoven of football.All the while he will have to cope with everything that comes with being United boss.A club that stopped being able to match expectations the moment Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013.Amorim is the sixth permanent boss since then. They all arrive with a smile and believe they can be “the one”.They all leave with their reputations in the dustbin and their lives changed.Ten Hag is still coming to terms with what happened. I’m not sure if David Moyes ever will.Even baby-faced assassin Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looked his age by the end.Sometimes, if you find contentment in your life — and a job you love with people around you who love you — that’s when you have really reached the pinnacle.Amorim had that. And in two years’ time my bet is he wishes he never turned his back on it.Littler’s a star I CAN relate toIT’S often difficult to relate to the incredible feats of sportsmen and women.That is what fascinates us the most: How on earth do they do that?Then you learn of the sacrifices they make for years and years for that one moment in time.How they even struggle to let themselves go after all the hard work when they retire. Then you hear about Luke Littler.He has just become darts’ youngest millionaire at 17 and whose mid-match routine was revealed by Martin Lukeman, whom he thumped 16-3 in the Grand Slam of Darts final.“He had a curry, a Boost [chocolate bar], a meal deal and them little sweets, half pink and half white . . . Squashies. Then he walks up there and just smashes me like that.” Marvellous.Jimmy is living the dry lifeTHE MODERN snooker player is a world away from those icons we used to enjoy watching in the 80s and early 90s.Gym, water, diet, sleep. The best, Ronnie O’Sullivan, is a great example of this with his running.Which reminded me of how Jimmy White used to enjoy his downtime.At his height White once went to the Gresham Hotel in Dublin for a weekend and returned six weeks later.He had 24 bottles of Dom Perignon champagne sent to his room daily and was reportedly joined by “nightclub girls, UB40 and Phil Lynott from Thin Lizzy” for what was described as “the mother of all benders”.When Alex Higgins rocked up to join in, it’s fair to say things went up a notch.Yet in the weekend just gone, the now clean-living “Whirlwind”, aged 62, beat an opponent 42 years his junior in the qualifiers for the UK Champs — over four decades after reaching the semis on his debut.Sober, fit and healthy White is still competing. He may never have been a world champion, but he remains a champion of the sport.Europe crown not for Nick-ingHATS off, or rather caps and visors, to Rory McIlroy.His brilliant finish to claim the DP World Tour Championship meant he blitzed the field in the Race to Dubai for a sixth time.That equalled Seve Ballesteros’ achievement and leaves him two behind Colin Montgomerie’s record.McIlroy has his sights set on becoming the best European golfer of all time, although some already consider him to be.His four Majors to Ballesteros’ five and Nick Faldo’s six suggest that’s not the case. But for me, the moment that sets Faldo apart came in the 1995 Ryder Cup.It was all down to his match as the Sunday singles came to a close and he stood one down with three to play against Curtis Strange.READ MORE SUN STORIESLevel going down 18, his presence of mind to chip out the rough and leave himself the perfect wedge to get up and down to claim par and win as Strange melted is the greatest moment in Ryder Cup history.Watch it and marvel at the man’s powers to block out all the noise and pressure to get the job done.Ruben Amorim leaves Sporting on a highBy Charlie WyettRUBEN AMORIM would have preferred to leave Lisbon in a blaze of glory after winning a third Primeira Liga title.Yet football does not work like that. And in what was surely his final game before taking charge of Manchester United, Amorim prepared to say his goodbyes at a half-empty Estadio Jose Alvalade in a League Cup quarter-final against Nacional.Sporting won 3-1 thanks to  second-half goals by captain  Morten Hjulmand and Viktor Gyokeres, who scored two.Luis Esteves pulled back for Madeira-based Nacional.The stadium  will be a good deal more lively on Tuesday when Manchester City are here for  a Champions League match — although Amorim should by then have his feet firmly under his desk at Old Trafford.Liverpool and Aston Villa were both interested in Europe’s most sought-after coach. Even City could have been a possible destination post-Pep Guardiola.Yet the United job is one Amorim, 39,  could not turn  down — even if not everyone saw it that way at Sporting last night.There is clearly a huge split in the Portuguese club’s fan base over their coach leaving at this stage of the season with many believing he should have seen the job through.Yet Amorim, along with the three-man coaching team who are expected to follow him, leaves a club in a much better state than when he arrived here in 2020.Inside the stadium, there was applause — albeit muted — when his name was read out before the game along with the line-ups.And there did not appear to be any jeers when Amorim shuffled out from the tunnel awkwardly towards the dugout.So, while his departure is hard to take for some, none of the fans will forget his legacy.This is a club which is back as the dominant force in Portugal. Even this term, Sporting have won their first nine league games, scoring 30 goals and conceding just two.They are also eighth in the Champions League table, which is one hell of an effort.In contrast, Lisbon was not exactly hit by League Cup fever last night.Amorim made lots of changes, which saw Sporting’s star man Gyokeres, the former Coventry striker, start on the bench.There was, however, a first appearance in six weeks for former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards. He is certainly one player who has been transformed by Amorim since arriving at the club from Vitoria in 2022 and will be sorry to see the coach leave.While he changed his team, Amorim stuck with his tried and trusted formation of a back three.It will certainly be something Manchester United’s fans will have to get used to over the  coming months.But looking at the Premier League table, none of them will be complaining about the change. More

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      in Boxing

      Puzzled fans say ‘this is so random’ as snooker royalty spotted ringside for Beterbiev vs Bivol

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      RONNIE O’SULLIVAN couldn’t get enough as Artur Beterbiev edged out Dmitry Bivol for undisputed light-heavyweight glory.Boxing fan O’Sullivan was seated ringside as Bivol suffered a tight and contentious loss to his Russian counterpart Beterbiev by a majority decision.Ronnie O’Sullivan was sat ringside for Beterbiev’s controversial win over BivolO’Sullivan is an ambassador for Saudi Arabian snookerFans were left stunned at the result as many thought Bivol had done enough to retain his WBC, IBF and WBO belts.Yet the judges scored the bout 114-114, 115-113 and 116-12 in Beterbiev’s favour.Bivol’s promoter Eddie Hearn labelled the decision “absolutely disgusting” and viewers called it a “robbery”.But O’Sullivan, 48, was one person who enjoyed the fight in the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.READ MORE BOXING NEWSThe seven-time world snooker champ posted a close-up from his ringside seat with the caption: “What a fight!!!!”And fans were left stunned by his involvement, with one writing: “Ronnie O’Sullivan being there is so random😂.”While another said: “What is O’Sullivan doing ringside?”A third wrote: “I did not expect to see Ronnie O’Sullivan there… so random.”Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnother replied: “The Rocket is in the house!”While another added: “From Ronnie O’Sullivan to Medvedev at the Beterbiev vs Bivol fight, who would have thought.”Ronnie O’Sullivan explains heartwarming reason behind snooker walk-on song and says he used to play it on repeatBut fans shouldn’t be that surprised as O’Sullivan agreed to become an ambassador for Saudi Arabian snooker in April.He penned terms on a three-year deal with the Gulf State and will commit to playing in all World Snooker Tour (WST) events in Saudi Arabia.The Rocket lost 6-4 to Si Jiahui at the quarter-final stage of the inaugural Saudi Arabia Masters in Riyadh last month and has backed the venue as “one of the world’s best”.Meanwhile, O’Sullivan wasn’t the only random sporting star in attendance.Neymar appeared in the ring after Chris Eubank Jr to retain his IBO middleweight titleFootball star Neymar, who plays for Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, was pictured in the ring after Chris Eubank Jr’s seventh-round KO win over Kamil Szeremeta.The former Paris-Saint Germain and Barcelona star was caught in-between Eubank’s face off with Conor Benn to the confusion of fans.Tennis star Danil Medvedev, who was beaten by Jannik Sinner in the quarter-finals of the US Open last month, was also spotted in the crowd.READ MORE SUN STORIESAll surely witnessed Frazer Clarke’s brutal first-round knockout at the hands of Fabio Wardley in their rematch.Clarke will undergo an operation to repair his jaw and cheekbone. More

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      in Soccer

      Watch Kyren Wilson nail the Ivan Toney snooker shot then pour perfect pint of Guinness without looking in ‘filth’ video

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      SNOOKER world champion Kyren Wilson hilariously potted balls and poured a pint of Guinness without looking in a nod to England striker Ivan Toney.Brentford striker Toney, 28, went viral for his spot kick technique in the Three Lions’ penalty shoot-out victory over Switzerland after he did not look at the ball once when stepping up to convert from 12 yards.Ivan Toney did not look at the ball when taking his penalty for EnglandCredit: GettyKyren Wilson hilariously released a Toney-inspired videoCredit: TikTok / @twsportsmanagement via Instagram / @kyrenwilson147He did not look at his cue or the ball while potting a ballCredit: TikTok / @twsportsmanagement via Instagram / @kyrenwilson147He produced a second shot to pot the black while staring at the cameraCredit: TikTok / @twsportsmanagement via Instagram / @kyrenwilson147World champion Wilson wrote the ‘4’ without looking to complete ‘#WC24’ on the whiteboardCredit: TikTok / @twsportsmanagement via Instagram / @kyrenwilson147He also poured a pint of Guiness without looking at the glassCredit: TikTok / @twsportsmanagement via Instagram / @kyrenwilson147Following the furore around it, Toney then starred in and England video this week in which he performed a number of tasks without looking.They included playing Connect Four, darts, basketball and reading a book.Now reigning Crucible champion Wilson, 32, has taken inspiration from that ahead of England’s semi-final with Netherlands on Wednesday evening.The Englishman put chalk on his cue and potted two balls while looking at the camera as England’s famous “Three Lions” song played over the top.READ MORE ON IVAN TONEYHe then wrote the number four on a whiteboard to complete “#WC24”, referencing his Crucible victory earlier this year.And he finished the video by pouring a no-look pint of Guinness.Alongside the clip, he added the caption: “Practising hard before the @england game tonight! @ivantoney1 style 👀.”And some of Wilson’s 61,000 Instagram followers were loving the Toney-influenced content.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSToney played a no-look move in Connect FourCredit: https://x.com/EnglandHe also threw darts while staring down the camera and away from the boardCredit: https://x.com/EnglandToney jokingly read a book without looking at the wordsCredit: https://x.com/EnglandAnd he also threw a basketball at the hoop without lookingCredit: https://x.com/EnglandOne said: “Brilliant lads 😂.”Another added: “Hahaha legend.”Ivan Toney plays Connect Four and reads a book without LOOKING in hilarious England video after his famous penaltyEURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANYA third replied: “Haha yes Kyren! Love it 😂.”While a fourth responded: “Filth.” More

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      in Soccer

      I was the youngest referee in World Snooker Championship history – it went horribly wrong when a streaker caused mayhem

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      PAUL COLLIER says farewell to snooker refereeing on Monday night – and he is praying it is less eventful than his first world final.The Welshman has the honour of being in the middle as Kyren Wilson and Jak Jones battle it out over two days for the £500,000 top prize.Referee Paul Collier stands behind Ronnie O’Sullivan and Graeme Dott ahead of the Embassy World Snooker finalA streaker was a nuisance for Collier before the fourth and final sessionThis is his fourth final at the highest level but his first in 2004 was famously interrupted by a male STREAKER before the fourth and final session.Some hairy-a***d bloke jumped out of the crowd, whipped off his shirt and trousers and then tried to hide under the table before being escorted away by security.Collier, 53, recalled: “I was the youngest referee of a world final at the time, it was quite an experience for me.“I’d never done the one-table before and normally everybody does a semi-final then a final, but I was straight into a final.Read more snooker news“I’ve seen bits of it back. It was unfortunate because it was the year we had the streaker and that idiot came out of the crowd.“I’m focused ready for the last session of the final and this bloke’s crawling round naked under the table.“If you look at it I’ve hit him with the rest as we’re trying to get him out from underneath.“It broke the atmosphere. You don’t expect that. It would be nice not to have one this time!”Most read in FootballCollier will ref low-level Q School matches in Leicester this month but then hangs up his gloves and black tie for good to become a tournament director on the World Snooker Tour.Between 2005 and 2011, he took a break from the sport, disillusioned by the then rulemakers, and he ran a snooker club in his home town, sold cars and bought a café.World Snooker Championship referee Marcel Eckardt suffers official’s worst nightmare after Jak Jones missOff-the-baize, it has been a difficult couple of years with mum Shirley dying in 2021.And then he had to give his wife, his “beloved Dragon”, emergency CPR when her heart stopped at a dinner party – thankfully she is okay these days.Like in football, a good ref is one you barely notice because they have not made a mistake or become the main talking point.Yet Collier, who can spend more time with his grandkids, does not want VAR to become a mainstay in the sport.The Newport-based official, who oversaw Mark Selby’s triumphs in 2016 and 2021, said: “I was on the wrong end of one of these calls at the Tour Championship when Gary Wilson was playing and I made a call.“I called it as I’d seen it and it turned out after 20 replays I’d got it wrong.“It was raised at the time, ‘can you look at the replay?’“What people don’t realise is we don’t have that technology yet.“If the TV company can queue it up in time, you end up watching it on one of the floor cameras viewfinders. You can’t always tell on that, you don’t know.“My view is why do you want to stop play for four or five minutes and you might not get an answer anyway.“It’s not like I didn’t see it, I saw it. I made a decision. On reflection I got it wrong.Paul Collier says his goodbyes to the Crucible before the World Snooker Championship final“I’m not a big football fan. I follow rugby union, which has TMO. That frustrates the hell out of me because it takes so long.READ MORE SUN STORIES“When you’re at the game, the amount of time you don’t know what’s happening because you haven’t got an earpiece and can’t listen to it.“I’d like to stay away from it in snooker. But it’s gutting when you get it wrong.” More

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      in Soccer

      Former Snooker world champion Ken Doherty once told iconic Man Utd manager Sir Alex Ferguson to ‘go f*** himself’

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      SNOOKER legend Ken Doherty once told Sir Alex Ferguson “go f*** yourself”.The Irishman, now 54, stormed to the World Snooker Championship title in 1997.Ken Doherty became world champion at The Crucible in 1997Credit: PAMan Utd icon Sir Alex Ferguson rang Doherty to congratulate himCredit: Times Newspapers LtdHe claimed glory by beating Stephen Hendry 18-12 at The Crucible, but then put his foot in it as he celebrated.Dublin star Doherty is a huge Manchester United fan.But when he received a call from Sir Alex following his Crucible success, he thought his pals were on the wind-up.After picking up the phone to the United icon, Doherty delivered an X-rated response.READ MORE IN SPORTRecounting the experience, he told the Mail: “The voice at the other end went, ‘Kenny, Alex Ferguson here, I know you are a big Manchester United fan, how about parading that trophy up at Old Trafford?’ and I told him to go f*** himself!”I thought it was my mate joking! He goes, ‘Kenny, I’m not going to ask you twice, it’s Alex Ferguson’ and I said, ‘Sorry Mr Ferguson’.”I went up the day they were picking up the Premiership trophy against West Ham. It was incredible. The roar I got walking out at Old Trafford was one of the most memorable days of my life.”Doherty’s 1997 triumph saw him receive a hero’s welcome home with an open-top bus parade through Dublin — and a police chief even told him that crime stopped in the city for hours during the crucial frames.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERHe continued: “I suppose May 5, 1997 is the day that defined my life really — wherever you go after that day you are referred to as the world champion.”When I saw Alex Higgins win it in 1982, I knew I wanted to be a snooker player, and then there was Dennis Taylor also from Northern Ireland in 1985.’Shot of the tournament’ – Ryan Day shows off ‘absolutely unbelievable cue power’ on way to upset win over Barry Hawkins”So to emulate them and win it was a dream come true, and especially to beat Stephen in the final who was going for six in a row and hadn’t lost there for so long. That was the icing on the cake.”The open-top bus was just unbelievable, that’s something you get for the Ireland football team or Olympic heroes — not snooker.”But it had that impact.”ALL THE LATEST FROM THE WORLD SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIP 2024 More