Mark Allen defends outspoken approach as he insists: 'I'll never change'
Mark Allen says he will continue speaking out for the good of snooker as he insisted: "I will never change".
The Antrim snooker star is a passionate advocate for the sport, but often his comments have invited criticism from players, officials and fans.
Only last month Allen branded conditions at the British Open as "absolutely embarrassing" and said one of the match tables he played on "should be burned".
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Allen told the BBC: "The problem is that people don't like the truth, and I'm one that will always tell the truth. I got brought over the coals for what I said in recent tournaments, but I felt vindicated that the tables got re-covered earlier than normal.
"I think that says who was right and who was wrong. I will never change. I am just me. People either like it or don't. But I am always honest, and people sometimes don't like the truth."
On his comments about snooker's state of health, Allen added: "I don't say it for my own benefit, I say it for the tour's benefit. That gets overlooked sometimes, people just see it as me complaining but that's not the case at all.
"Things have improved but there's always room for more improvement."
Allen is preparing for the Northern Ireland Open which starts on Sunday. He faces China's Liu Hongyu in his first match on Monday.
The Antrim star was a doubt for the tournament after withdrawing from the recent Wuhan Open when his mother fell unwell.
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"My mum hasn't been well the past few weeks but things have been better in the last few days," Allen said.
"As far as she's concerned I'll be there to give it my best. It would be nice to go there and, not win for her because I want to win for myself, but it would be nice to give her something to watch at night time and keep her happy."
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