Top News

Neil Robertson has made his feelings clear about the levels required to enter Snooker's Hall of Fame, branding the latest decisions 'ridiculous' after two new additions were announced. The 44yearold reacted strongly on social media following the inductions of Zhao Xintong and Mark Allen, a move that also sparked widespread debate among fans.

Zhao, 29, and Allen, 40, were among the headline winners at the annual WST Awards, with Zhao also picking up the Player of the Year prize after a remarkable 2025/26 season. Allen reached the semifinals of the World Snooker Championship before losing to Wu Yize, who went on to lift the trophy after beating Shaun Murphy in the final.

This week, WST announced the new additions to the Hall of Fame on X. The tweet read: "WELCOME TO THE HALL OF FAME! Zhao Xintong became China's first champion of the world in 2025. The Cyclone won win all three players' series events this season. Mark Allen is one of the modern greats of the sport, winning 12 ranking titles and reaching world No1!"

EXPRESS SPORT ON FB!Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page

Robertson responded with a simple tweet, arguing that being inducted into the Hall of Fame should be 'earned through decades of work and reputation'. The Australian, who lifted the title at the Crucible back in 2010, was inducted into the elite World Snooker Tour club in 2013 at the age of 31, three years after winning the World Championship at the Crucible

"Many others including myself got in when we were in our 20/30s," he wrote. "Absolutely ridiculous when the real big hitter sports have people with stellar careers get in when they are in their mid-40s or 50s.

"It should be something that is earned through decades of work and reputation. Don't get me wrong, I'm proud to be in it. But it seems like a given if you have a half-decent career, which it is not meant to be about that imo."

One fan shared a similar view to Robertson, writing: "Way too easy to get into the snooker Hall of Fame," while another added: "Nobody should be getting in any sporting hall of fame until retirement."

Sky Sports and Stream deal

A third commented: "Allen I can agree with, but Zhao? It's way too early in his career to be in the Hall of Fame," before another questioned: "Wasn't the Hall of Fame about career success? The longevity of a sports career and being serial winners - now they're beefing it up with anyone."

The WST Hall of Fame was established in 2011, with the first eight inductees all being multipletime world champions.