Hossein Vafaei in European Masters no-show amid visa issues
Vafaei withdrew from Furth after visa issues (MB Media Solutions / Alamy Stock Photo)
Hossein Vafaei was a no-show at the European Masters on Tuesday as he failed to appear for his scheduled clash with Xiao Guodong.
The reigning Shoot Out champion was due to face the two-time ranking finalist on the opening day of the tournament at the Stadthalle in Furth.
In a tweet that has since been deleted, Vafaei claimed last week that he had encountered difficulties in securing a visa ahead of the event.
The Iranian was initially docked the first two frames after failing to show up at the venue on time, with a 5-0 victory subsequently awarded to his opponent soon after.
The Q House Snooker Academy, where he practises, later tweeted that visa issues had prevented the world number 17 from competing in the tournament.
Unfortunately due to Visa issues Hossein Vafaei won’t be able to play in the European Masters starting today , but practice still goes on and yesterday he had back to back 147s at Q house ?? pic.twitter.com/pmFRtuYrzC
— Q House Snooker (@QHouseSnooker) August 16, 2022
It would not be the first time in his career that Vafaei has been affected by visa problems.
Indeed, after winning the 2011 World Amateur Championship, he was only permitted to compete in a handful of events during his maiden two seasons on the tour in 2012-13 and 2013-14.