The move comes after at least one unidentified top-10 player criticised the governing body’s inability create a world tour and failure to attract major sponsorship contracts.
The WSA issued a strongly worded statement in their defence yesterday, saying: “We have also secured a new long-term, multi-million-pound BBC contract, broadened our broadcast platforms via Eurosport, and have substantially increased our overall income from overseas TV sales by over £1m. It is World Snooker's ambition to continue to increase the tournament calendar, year on year, expanding in Asia, and talks are underway to create new events in the Middle East and Europe.
“We are continuously striving to enhance the game and it is difficult to understand why some leading players feel that criticising their association in the national press will assist our efforts in securing additional tournaments for its members. However, we invite representative players to take part in a players' forum, where they can express their views as to how the sport is run".
It is understood, however, that there remains a significant group of players who believe that the chance to expand snooker’s appeal was squandered internecine warfare in the 1990s.
