Mark Allen pulls out of another event as absence since World Championship continues
Mark Allen’s absence from the professional snooker tour continues as he withdraws from the International Championship qualifiers later this month.
The Northern Irishman has not played since losing the World Championship semi-final to Wu Yize in May.
Since then he has pulled out of a string of ranking events: the China Open, Wuhan Open, British Open, English Open and now the International Championship.
He also sat out the non-ranking Shanghai Masters and opted out of the Championship League earlier in the season.
World Snooker Tour confirmed on Thursday that he will not play his International Championship qualifier due to ‘personal reasons’ but little else is known on why he has chosen not to compete yet this season.
Allen did offer a statement when he pulled out of the China Open and Wuhan Open last month, saying: ‘I am gutted to miss these two events in China and my apologies to the fans and promoters in Taiyuan and Wuhan.
‘I love playing in China and appreciate the support we always get there, but there are personal reasons why I can’t make it this time. I hope to be back playing in China later this season.’
There has been very little news from the 40-year-old since then, with just a cryptic post on Instagram last week during the British Open.
Allen posted a picture of a hooded figure, with Disturbed’s cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s The Sound of Silence playing over it.
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The Pistol is ranked number 13 in the world and is in little danger or losing his place in the top 16 at the moment, but obviously that will change if he continues to miss events.
He won the English Open last season but is not in Brentwood this week defending his title.
His possible return to action could come at the Shenzhen Open later this month or at his home event, the Northern Ireland Open, in October.
Allen has won the tournament in Belfast twice before and reached the semi-finals last season.
The tournament at the Waterfront Hall begins on October 18.
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