The head of World Snooker admits he is unsure whether Sheffield will continue to host the sport's World Championships.

The World Snooker Championship has received a financial boost after a new title sponsor for the tournament was revealed in London today.

Officials in Sheffield are confident they will be able to fight off the threat from China and remain the home of the World Snooker Championships.

The World Snooker Championship could be taken to China from 2011 to exploit the country’s exploding market for the sport, according to the head of the game’s governing body.

The Middle East will stage a world-ranking tournament for the first time this year, with Bahrain hosting a new event from November 8 to 15.

RONNIE O’SULLIVAN proved too strong for qualifier Liu Chuang at the World Championship in Sheffield yesterday — and then admitted he has struggled to cope with the furore surrounding lewd comments and sexual innuendos he made at a news conference in China.

Ronnie O’Sullivan has apologised for the lewd comments and sexual innuendos he made during a news conference in China.

WORLD Snooker chairman Rodney Walker has branded Ronnie O’Sullivan’s lewd comments at the China Open this week “unacceptable”.

World Snooker chairman Rodney Walker has branded Ronnie O’Sullivan’s lewd comments at the China Open this week “unacceptable”.

RONNIE O’SULLIVAN will not be facing the press for the rest of the Saga Masters at Wembley Arena because it is “not in the interests of the player, the tournament and the sport”.

Ronnie O’Sullivan has held “informal talks” with the head of World Snooker following his controversial walkout at last month’s Maplin UK Championship.

World snooker chairman Rodney Walker maintains Ronnie O’Sullivan will be asked to explain his walkout at the Maplin UK Championship.

The snooker world paid its final tributes to Paul Hunter today, 10 days after the 27-year-old Yorkshireman died from cancer.

Hundreds of mourners assembled in Leeds Parish Church and hundreds more gathered outside for the funeral this afternoon of snooker professional Paul Hunter.

Tributes have been paid to 27-year-old snooker star Paul Hunter, who has died after losing his battle with cancer.

The North is taking its place on the international snooker stage with its first ever world ranking tournament, it was announced today.

The World Snooker Championships will be sponsored by online casino 888.com for the next five years after signing a multi-million euro agreement.

World number one Ronnie O'Sullivan has called for a complete shake-up of snooker - starting with the appointment of a ruthless "dictator".

Quinten Hann today strenuously denied newspaper allegations that he agreed to throw a match for money.

Rodney Walker has spelt out his determination to repair snooker’s tarnished reputation as the sport enters a critical phase.

Ronnie O’Sullivan was on his best behaviour in Sheffield today and let his snooker do the talking at the Embassy World Championship.

All eyes will again be on Ronnie O’Sullivan when the quarter-finals of the Embassy World Championship get underway at the Crucible Theatre today.

SNOOKER chief Rodney Walker has welcomed news that some of snooker’s top stars will support moves to restructure the sport.

Snooker chief Sir Rodney Walker has welcomed news that some of snooker’s top stars will support moves to restructure the sport.

Leicester City chief executive Steve Kind has accused shareholder Gilbert Kinch of dealing the club another damaging blow after suffering the agony of relegation.

Leicester City have called a press conference for later this morning after announcing to the Stock Exchange it is to hold an Extraordinary General Meeting.

The Rugby Football League are to appoint an outsider as their first executive chairman.

Wembley Stadium could be rebuilt with a removable athletics track - three years after the idea was deemed unworkable.

Rugby league’s prestigious Challenge Cup final is set to return to Wembley in 2006, according to chairman Sir Rodney Walker.

It was almost like old times at Rugby League headquarters with Maurice Lindsay back in the hot-seat.

Wembley chief Rodney Walker is ‘‘hopeful’’ that the Football Association will not scrap plans for a national stadium altogether.

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The strife-torn Wembley national stadium project lurched into new controversy today when a bitterly-angry Ken Bates quit as vice-chairman and aimed a volley of parting shots at the Football Association, Sports Minister Kate Hoey and former colleagues.

Demolition work on Wembley Stadium is not expected to start until the summer, bringing another delay to the project.

The prospect of London mounting a bid for the 2012 Olympics appears further away than ever following a warning by Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Chris Smith over the city's transport system.

A formal decision is expected later today on whether athletics will be part of the new look Wembley Stadium.