Snooker's tough break

The civil war currently taking place in snooker has not yet edged towards the rebel tour organised by TSN or the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, with most observers believing a fight to the finish would plunge the sport into the dark ages.

What is sure to be a deciding factor is television coverage, which needs the participation of the top players in the world. The question now is whether the BBC, who have five years remaining on their £23 million contract with the WSA, will climb out of the agreement if the WSA cannot produce the top players for televised competitions. TSN have a number of the top names including Stephen Hendry, Ken Doherty, Ronnie O'Sullivan and world number one Mark Williams committed to their tour. A competition without them would be a Premiership without Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. For the moment at least the game looks snookered.