Shaun Murphy calls for major snooker rule change after BBC row with Mark Allen
SHAUN MURPHY has lobbied for a shot clock to be introduced in snooker after calling out Mark Allen’s alleged slow play.
Murphy was on BBC commentary when he commented on Allen’s approach during his semi-final clash against Barry Hawkins at the UK Championship.
Murphy had been knocked out by Hawkins in the previous round.
The 2005 world champion suggested that Allen was playing slow on purpose in an effort to upset Hawkins’ rhythm.
His comments got back to fellow snooker star Allen, who hit back on X after the match.
Allen posted: “As for Shaun in comms. He’s absolutely entitled to his opinion on things but perhaps best to leave personal feelings out of the commentary box in future.
“All because I called out some of his recent BS.”
But Murphy was later asked what snooker could do to help officials when players take their time.
Murphy said: “I’d bring in a shot clock. And I’ve been saying this for 20 years, so I’m super-consistent on this.”
When his co-host Phil Seymour asked for a number, Murphy added: “30 seconds. I think a shock clock that is unemotive, unemotional.
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“It can’t be swayed, it’s not open to opinion – takes all of the pressure off the referees.
“This section of the rules puts our referees in a terrible position where some of them get involved and warn a player who’s fighting. If we had shot clock, and you can negotiate on 30 seconds.
“Years ago, I got widely criticised for wanting a shot clock. Now the tide is starting to turn, not in totality, but it is starting to turn and I think, in years to come, we’ll see it become a thing.”
It came after youngster Stan Moody was warned by a referee during the UK Championship qualifiers.
Murphy has also said he was “disappointed” with how Allen responded to his remarks in commentary.
The Magician added: “I’m employed by the BBC to call the game as I see it, and that’s what I did. I don’t remember ever saying that there was anything wrong with what he did.
“I said he was perfectly within his rights, perfectly within the rules.”
Hawkins still won the match against Allen, but later lost to Judd Trump.
List of all-time Snooker World Champions
BELOW is a list of snooker World Champions by year.
The record is for the modern era, widely considered as dating from the 1968-69 season, when the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) took control of the sport.
The first World Championships ran from 1927 – with a break from 1941-45 because of World War II and 1958-63 because of a dispute in the sport.
Joe Davis (15), Fred Davis and John Pulman (both 8) were the most successful players during that period.
Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O’Sullivan share the record for the most titles in the modern era, with seven each.
- 1969 – John Spencer
- 1970 – Ray Reardon
- 1971 – John Spencer
- 1972 – Alex Higgins
- 1973 – Ray Reardon (2)
- 1974 – Ray Reardon (3)
- 1975 – Ray Reardon (4)
- 1976 – Ray Reardon (5)
- 1977 – John Spencer (2)
- 1978 – Ray Reardon (6)
- 1979 – Terry Griffiths
- 1980 – Cliff Thorburn
- 1981 – Steve Davis
- 1982 – Alex Higgins (2)
- 1983 – Steve Davis (2)
- 1984 – Steve Davis (3)
- 1985 – Dennis Taylor
- 1986 – Joe Johnson
- 1987 – Steve Davis (4)
- 1988 – Steve Davis (5)
- 1989 – Steve Davis (6)
- 1990 – Stephen Hendry
- 1991 – John Parrott
- 1992 – Stephen Hendry (2)
- 1993 – Stephen Hendry (3)
- 1994 – Stephen Hendry (4)
- 1995 – Stephen Hendry (5)
- 1996 – Stephen Hendry (6)
- 1997 – Ken Doherty
- 1998 – John Higgins
- 1999 – Stephen Hendry (7)
- 2000 – Mark Williams
- 2001 – Ronnie O’Sullivan
- 2002 – Peter Ebdon
- 2003 – Mark Williams (2)
- 2004 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (2)
- 2005 – Shaun Murphy
- 2006 – Graeme Dott
- 2007 – John Higgins (2)
- 2008 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (3)
- 2009 – John Higgins (3)
- 2010 – Neil Robertson
- 2011 – John Higgins (4)
- 2012 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (4)
- 2013 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (5)
- 2014 – Mark Selby
- 2015 – Stuart Bingham
- 2016 – Mark Selby (2)
- 2017 – Mark Selby (3)
- 2018 – Mark Williams (3)
- 2019 – Judd Trump
- 2020 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (6)
- 2021 – Mark Selby (4)
- 2022 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (7)
- 2023 – Luca Brecel
- 2024 – Kyren Wilson
Most World Titles (modern era)
- 7 – Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O’Sullivan
- 6 – Ray Reardon, Steve Davis
- 4 – John Higgins, Mark Selby
- 3 – John Spencer, Mark Williams
- 2 – Alex Higgins