Shaun Murphy accuses snooker body of acting 'disrespectfully' and 'unprofessionally' in astonishing rant

Murphy, 43, had flown 5,600 miles from the Chinese city of Nanjing to the East Midlands following a defeat to John Higgins at the International Championship last Thursday.

The Englishman claimed that he was first informed he would play on Monday afternoon during his 36-hour journey back to the UK.

Mark Williams, Mark Allen and Alfie Burden, who were not involved in the tournament, are scheduled to play their opening games after Murphy.

Matchroom Sport run and promotes the Champion of Champions snooker event.

Speaking on the tight fixture schedule, Murphy, said: "I conduct myself as professionally as I possibly can. I try and treat the game with an incredible amount of respect. I think the way I’ve been treated by Matchroom in this tournament is nothing short of despicable.

"To find out, in a tournament where they hand-picked the draw and they hand-picked the groups, to find out that I was playing today, halfway through a 36-hour marathon journey home from China, just 48 hours ago."

The reigning Masters champion added: "There were three other players in this tournament who weren’t even in China last week. For me to be thrown out first today is nothing short of despicable. I think they’ve covered themselves in a huge embarrassment by treating me with such disrespect.

"I only found out today at breakfast that I was playing first at one o’clock. So poor has been the communication. I’m shocked. I’ve been used to Matchroom being a well-run organisation since I started working with them as a young boy 30 years ago.

"The way they’ve treated me in this event, with the formatting, is extremely unprofessional. I’m very disappointed in them. My beef is certainly not with anyone else. My beef is that Mark Williams, Mark Allen and Alfie Burden weren’t even in China. Matchroom totally hand-picked this event.

"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."

He added: "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 said the fixtures had not "hand-picked" the draw, as it was determined by seeding.

Special consideration were made for the two finalists of the International Championship, Stephen Maguire and John Higgins.

A Matchroom spokesman said: "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."

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