Snooker star Shaun Murphy has hit out at promoters Matchroom over the scheduling of his match at the Champion of Champions tournament.
Murphy, 43, was disgruntled at being ordered to feature in the opening game of the 16-player invitational event in Leicester, just after returning from the International Championship in China.
The 2005 world champion called his treatment by the organisers ‘nothing short of despicable’ after being comfortably knocked out by Lei Peifan of China.
Speaking to ITV after the defeat, Murphy did not hold back: ‘For me to be thrown out first is nothing short of despicable, and I think they have covered themselves in a huge embarrassment by treating me with such disrespect.
‘I always pride myself on conducting myself as professionally as I can, try to treat the game with an incredible amount of respect.
‘There are three other players in this tournament who weren’t even in China last week. The way Matchroom has treated me in this tournament is nothing short of despicable.’
Murphy has been in stellar form this season, winning the British Open in September, and only last week made the quarter-finals of the International Championship.
He then made what he describes as a ‘marathon 36-hour journey’ back to the UK from China, which he believes should have been taken into consideration by Matchroom when organising the fixture schedule.
‘They had no need to pick the draws and make the formats the way they did. They could have put those three in a group with somebody else who wasn’t in China as long as the rest of us, and they could have played today. They should have been playing today.
‘It’s made a total mockery of the event and an embarrassment of me. My reputation is something I take extremely seriously.
‘Having been in the country not 24 hours before I find myself in a hotel here last night in Leicester, not knowing what day it is or where I am or what clothes I’m wearing or anything, and to be expected to come out and perform like a professional snooker player is a step too far. I’m extremely disappointed in them.’
Matchroom have since confirmed that they have had communication with Murphy and empathise with his point of view.
A statement from the promoter read: ‘We spoke with Shaun after his match and completely understand his frustrations. Our priorities are the players and we take pride in the fact they consider this event prestigious and want to prepare for it.
‘For transparency and fairness the groups are based on seeding. Scheduling is always a challenge every year, but we take on board the points and will always strive to improve for next year and the future.’
