Fuming Ronnie O’Sullivan threatens to pull out of World Championships if fans are allowed in and blasts idea as ‘insane’

RONNIE O’SULLIVAN has threatened to pull out of the World Championship if fans are allowed in.

The five-time world snooker champ is preparing for the 17-day event that starts at the Crucible in Sheffield this month.

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The tournament takes place amid unprecedented levels of hygiene, testing for Covid-19 and secure bubbles for players, staff, crew and media.

There is still a chance a small number of fans may be allowed into the 980-capacity theatre.

But the Rocket, 44, said: “If they start bringing in crowds in, even if it is only a couple of hundred, I wouldn’t feel good about that."

And I think to the point where it would even affect my willingness to participate.

“I don’t think there should be any crowds in an indoor area until at least 2021 and, to me, it seems insane that we are even talking about it.”

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And O’Sullivan, an ambassador for , has also gone to war with Peter Ebdon.

The former world champion is opposed to wearing masks and using vaccines.

O’Sullivan said: “I just think it is obvious that is something we have to do in certain situations, to protect other people and lessen the risk.”