China Open: my apology

[robinbobin]

I would like to apologise to you all for my behaviour and embarrassment caused at the recent China Open.

During the press conference, I was fooling around with a friend and had naively assumed that my comments were not being recorded - we had been waiting for proceedings to start for some time and I was not aware which cameras, if any, were recording.

When I returned to London I was very upset and embarrassed to realise that this matter, which had started as a private joke had been recorded and then reported as it had. There was certainly no intention to cause any offence to anyone.

I immediately arranged an apology live on Chinese TV to offer my explanation and sincere apologies to the hosts and to those present. I have also given my unreserved apology to World Snooker.

I had a great time playing in the tournament and always enjoy my time in China, and I am greatly looking forward to the next time I return.