With some of snooker’s biggest stars now based in the Middle East, the sport’s powers that be have been in contact with players potentially affected by the ongoing conflict.
USA and Israel launched a ‘major military operation’ against Iran on Saturday, killing the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran has retaliated by launching missiles and drones towards Israel and four Gulf Arab countries which host US military bases – including the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
In the early hours of Sunday morning, the Burj Al Arab, an iconic hotel in Dubai, was in flames after being hit by an Iranian drone strike.
A statement from Dubai’s Media Office read: ‘The competent authorities in Dubai announced that a drone was intercepted, and its fragments caused a small fire on the exterior facade of the Burj Al Arab hotel. Civil defense teams were able to control the incident without any injuries.’
Four people were injured in a missile strike at Dubai International Airport, which the Dubai Media Office described as ‘an incident, which was quickly contained.’
Flights out of the UAE have been cancelled, with British nationals desperate to get home, although Prime Minister Keir Starmer told MPs on Wednesday that two government-organised flights would bring people back from the Middle East in the coming days, while eight commercial flights will leave UAE on Wednesday.
How are snooker stars affected?
Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan and world number one Judd Trump both live in Dubai, but Metro understands neither are in the region at this time.
In fact, Trump was posting on social media from Hong Kong on Wednesday, where his girlfriend lives.
World number 38 Matt Selt is also based in the city, with WPBSA Players – the players association linked to the governing body – in contact with him and is offering assistance to remove him and his family from the country.
A statement read: ‘WPBSA Players prioritises the welfare of its players and has been in communication with those who are potentially affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
‘In respect of Matthew Selt’s situation, WPBSA Players has been in regular communication with him. Matthew has been offered assistance to ensure that he and his family are able to leave the region at the earliest opportunity.’
WPBSA Players has also been in contact with players from the Middle East, with the region represented on the professional tour by the likes of UAE’s Mohammed Shehab and Iran’s Hossein Vafaei and Amir Sarkhosh.
Tennis stars have been caught up in the conflict, with the Dubai Championships played last week and an ATP Challenger event in Fujairah, UAE scheduled this week.
British star Jack Draper said: ‘I was in Dubai last week. I managed to get away almost probably one of the last flights out.’
The ATP has confirmed that they are helping players leave UAE after the Fujairah event was cancelled.
The statement from the ATP read ‘Following the cancellation of the ATP Challenger Tour events in Fujairah, the ATP has been working closely with tournament organisers to support players on site.
‘Accommodation and essential needs continue to be covered by the tournament, and a charter flight has been arranged and fully funded by the ATP to assist with departures from the region at no cost to players.
‘Separately, the vast majority of players who were in Dubai have successfully departed today on selected flights. The safety and wellbeing of our players, support teams and staff members remains our highest priority, and we continue to remain in close contact with those affected.’