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Hossein Vafaei does not want to reignite his feud with Ronnie O’Sullivan at the Shanghai Masters this week. The pair could be in line to meet after the Iranian previously claimed the Rocket should retire.<\/p>\n
The spat between the pair started before the 2022 World Snooker Championship. Vafaei was not happy with O’Sullivan’s comments on the current state of snooker.<\/p>\n
O’Sullivan had also said that he would not encourage children to take up the sport. In April of last year, Vafaei revealed his admiration for the seven-time world champion but said he should hang up his cue and allow younger players to take on the mantle.<\/p>\n
Vafaei told the Metro: “I like him a lot, I am his fan, I love what he does but sometimes he\u2019s disrespectful, he\u2019s not good for the game. I think he should retire, to be honest with you. He should retire and then the younger generation make the game bigger.”<\/p>\n
Read more… <\/strong> Snooker star won ‘fastest frame ever’ and called O’Sullivan the ‘biggest p***k’<\/strong><\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n A year later, the pair went head-to-head at the 2023 World Snooker Championship and O’Sullivan thrashed Vafaei 13-2 in the second round. Afterwards, O’Sullivan admitted he’d been upset by the deterioration in their friendship.<\/p>\n He said on Eurosport: “All of a sudden, it just went a bit funny. So I was baffled and I was a bit sad about it, to be honest with you, but there is not a lot you can do. He has his reasons. Hopefully, it is put to bed now and we can be friends and that is it.<\/p>\n “Yeah, yeah, yeah [we’re still friends]. But you never know with Hossein. Next week he could be coming at me again, you know!”<\/p>\n But ahead of a possible clash in Shanghai this week, Vafaei has moved to ensure the feud doesn’t continue. He wants there to be respect between the pair if they meet in the semi-finals.<\/p>\n Don’t miss… <\/strong> Vafaei said: “I\u2019m so happy, this is myself, I\u2019m not acting, I\u2019m a snooker player and I love to be myself. If something is not right I have to say it, people accept it or don\u2019t accept it.<\/p>\n “At the same time, we shouldn\u2019t forget the respect as well, as much as possible. Let\u2019s forget that [the spat with O\u2019Sullivan]. I\u2019m going to make a new story again, maybe for someone else! No, listen, I love Ronnie, he\u2019s my hero.<\/p>\n “I play snooker because of him, if he\u2019s not around snooker, who\u2019s going to watch the snooker? Even myself, I\u2019m one of his fans. Sometimes it happens in any family. Let\u2019s forget it.”<\/p>\n Vafaei eased past Gong Chenzhi 6-1 in the first round on Monday and will face Mark Selby in round two. Meanwhile, O’Sullivan will play Ai Carter following the 44-year-old’s win over Dong Zihao.<\/p>\nRonnie O'Sullivan explains why he made a 146 in 2016<\/h3>\n
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Snooker star pulls off incredible shot in ‘escape of the season’ at English Open[REACTION] <\/strong>
Snooker star wins ‘fastest frame in history’ after just one shot after big error[NEWS] <\/strong>
Ronnie O’Sullivan opens up about drugs, suicidal thoughts and troubled childhood[EXCLUSIVE] <\/strong><\/p>\n