Hossein Vafaei says Crucible 'smells really bad' and 'nobody looks after players' in iconic World Championship venue

Published 21/04/2024 at 20:06 GMT

Iran's Hossein Vafaei has strongly criticised the Crucible Theatre, which has hosted the World Championship for almost 50 years, saying the venue "smells really bad". He compared its practice facilities to a "garage”, and has asserted that the event either needs to move or the Crucible needs a huge upgrade. Vafaei was dumped out in a 10-5 defeat by Judd Trump. WST has provided a response.

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Hossein Vafaei has criticised the Crucible, saying that the venue "smells really bad" and admitted he has no desire to return to the iconic World Championship venue.

The Iranian, who has played at the venue for each of the past three years, was knocked out of the tournament on Sunday after defeat to Judd Trump, after which he slammed the Sheffield arena.

The Crucible has staged snooker's biggest competition every year since 1977. Its current deal is set to expire in 2027 and debate around moving the event from the theatre is raging on.

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The 29-year-old said: "Should I be honest? Are you enjoying being here?

"History is very important but nobody invests any money in this historical venue. You want to go somewhere really nice. If you walk around the Crucible it smells really bad. I'm honest. Everything is so bad."

"You go to other top venues in other countries and you can see how nice they treat you, how nice everything is and it is so shiny and completely different," added Vafaei.

"If you ask me do I want to come back here, the answer is no.

"The practice room? Do you see anything special about it? It feels like I'm practising in a garage and that's not good. I'm coming here from a different country to see that. I'm sorry I have to tell the truth."

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Vafaei feels that an overseas venue may be what the World Championship needs.

"Look at China and how they organise their tournaments, fantastic. How they treat the players with the red carpet, opening ceremony," he added.

"The players are feeling like stars but here nobody looks after the players, after the match, before the match here, no-one cares who you are. In China, everything is different. Saudi Arabia, everything is probably going to be different.

"I understand so many people working here, if the Crucible moves they will probably lose their jobs and this is sad, but if they don’t want to lose the Crucible, make it shinier, make it cleaner, make it nicer for the people. Why do we have to find a reason to lose the Crucible?"

WST response

World Snooker Tour issued a statement in response to Vafaei's comments, saying: "The Crucible is a historic venue and there are limitations given the size of the backstage areas.

"We work with the Crucible to make it as welcoming as possible for players."

Ronnie O'Sullivan, meanwhile, has been loudly critical of the venue over the years and seems to have a love-hate relationship with the Crucible.

"If you’re going to take it to China, you’d have to take it to Shanghai. Or another major city like Shenzhen or Guangzhou. It’d be done properly. Courtesy cars will be laid on. Food will be there. Hotels will be great. Everything would be paid for. Prize money would be astronomical," the seven-time world champion said earlier this month.

"I know at the Crucible you get nice tea there, you might get lasagne if the guys are cooking. But that’s about it."

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