World Snooker Championship could leave Crucible, warns Hearn

The iconic Crucible has become a huge part of the history of the sport, with its tight, cramped setting providing a unique atmosphere and the venue regarded as the home of snooker.

Hearn said his preference was to keep the world championship in Sheffield, but the venue had to be improved.

“I am doing absolutely everything I can to stay in Sheffield and it takes two to tango,” he told BBC Two. “I’ll stay here while we’re wanted. I know we’re wanted by the BBC, I think we’re wanted by Sheffield.

“But we need a new venue that seats 2,500-3,000 people because I’m fed up of getting letters from people asking how they can get a ticket. I’m looking to Sheffield to come to the party and if they do, we’re staying. If they don’t, they’re saying ‘We don’t want you’.”

Earlier this week, Vafaei criticised the venue, saying it “smells really bad” and the practice room was like a “garage”, although 2005 champion Shaun Murphy defended the Crucible, calling it “holy ground” for snooker players.

Hearn, who managed Steve Davis throughout his six world titles in the 1980s, added: “The Crucible has a fantastic history and it’s been a massive part of my life, but we’ve got to live in the real world. There’s a price for everything, whether we like it or not.

“I want to stay here. I can’t do any more than say that but I need help, I need a reason to stay here. I can’t be more loyal to Sheffield than I have been but everybody needs to pull in the right direction.”