Ronnie O’Sullivan withdraws from Championship League Snooker
O’Sullivan admits he was “bored” during the match (Photo by PA Images)
Ronnie O’Sullivan has withdrawn from Championship League Snooker in Milton Keynes due to Covid concerns.
The reigning and six-time World Champion was due to compete in the ranking event at the Marshall Arena on Monday October 5 but has now decided to opt out.
O’Sullivan did not wish to stay within the on-site ‘bubble’, which sees players undergo Covid-19 testing on arrival before self-isolating for 24 hours.
He will now be replaced in Monday’s group by John Astley – who joins China’s Li Hang, Malta’s Alex Borg and Ukraine’s Iulian Boiko.
O’Sullivan’s spot had been offered to Lei Peifan, who was the next highest ranked player on the Q School Order of Merit, but the Chinese cueist decided to leave the event after returning an invalid test result followed by a negative one last week.
O’Sullivan, who triumphed at The Crucible in August, began the new season at the same venue last week, suffering a shock Second Round exit to 18-year-old debutant Aaron Hill in the European Masters.
His next tournament appearance is now scheduled to be the English Open, which takes place at the Marshall Arena from October 12-18.
The Rocket has been drawn to face French debutant Brian Ochoiski in the First Round.
Earlier in the week, Daniel Wells was withdrawn from the Championship League after returning a positive test for Covid-19.
It was revealed on Sunday that WST Chairman Barry Hearn has also tested positive, though both are showing no symptoms and are now self-isolating.