BALLS TO THIS

'Sort it Sheffield or we're off

- AARON FLANAGAN

BARRY HEARN has delivered an ultimatum to Sheffield City Council: I don’t take Anthony Joshua to York Hall, so why should I take snooker’s top stars to the Crucible?

The Matchroom chief says that Sheffield has three years to save itself as the home of snooker, with a new or significantly revamped arena the only way it can happen.

Hearn, doubling down on remarks made in a controversial interview with the BBC earlier this year, says that the Crucible theatre, which has hosted the World Snooker Championship since 1977, is no longer fit for purpose.