Snooker: Hendry demands showdown snooker meeting

Stephen Hendry has urged feuding snooker chiefs to go head-to-head in front of his fellow players.

He has called for the move in an attempt to prevent two professional circuits being in operation next season.

Hendry wants the chief negotiators from World Snooker and The Sportsmasters Network to face a grilling from the membership.

And in an attempt to bring a summit meeting closer to reality Hendry, through his solicitors, will go to the High Court next Monday to seek an injunction against World Snooker.

The Scottish star is angry at World Snooker's decision to impose an end of month deadline for players to decide which tour they will compete on in the 2001-2002 campaign.

Hendry believes the members should be given more time and is confident of winning an injunction to get a stay of execution.

"Players are being rushed into signing their entry forms for next season," he said after booking his place in the semi-finals of the Malta Rothmans Grand Prix.

"We all know the reasons why they are being brought out now and it's very unfair.

"I would like to see George Smith from TSN and Jim McKenzie from World Snooker in the same room with all the players firing questions at them.

"So far we've not been able to do that. It's always been one or the other."

Smith, chief executive of TSN, has also criticised the sport's authorities for applying 'draconian measures on players'.

"A players' association exists to implement the wish of the majority of its membership," he said.

"It does not exist to stifle debate or criticism of its operational efficiency or style.

"How can these members be expected to decide on one of its most important decisions of their careers without balance and the facts."

Earlier in the day World Snooker claimed entry forms from players wishing to play on the Tour next season had been 'flooding in'.

But McKenzie refused to reveal the identities of the professionals forcing Gerry Sinclair, TSN's managing director, to comment: "We are very dubious about their claims.

"In recent weeks they have been sending out press releases glorifying the fact players like John Higgins, Alan McManus and Peter Ebdon have signed for them. So why now are they being so coy."