Claims extracted
21
sentences that state something as happening or true
Uncertain
10%
2 of 21 hedged
("reportedly", "may", "according to")
Leaning
not political
takes no side on a contested political question
Publisher signals
69/100
BBC News's corrections and
hedging, across everything collected from it. Not a measure of accuracy.
Outlets on this story
1
Sports
Same framing elsewhere
1
articles that frame the event the way this one does
- Published
An emotional Mark Allen said retiring from snooker is "something I have been contemplating for a while" following his first-round loss to Jordan Brown in the Northern Ireland Open.
asserted
I → publish → Open
Allen was beaten 4-2 by fellow Antrim man Brown in his first event since losing to Wu Yize in heartbreaking fashion in the semi-finals of the World Championship in Sheffield in May.
uncertain
Allen → beat → May
The former world number one said showing up to play his match against Brown was an "achievement" after a "really difficult" period in his life while he took a break from competitive action.
asserted
he → say → action
"I think if I hadn't have been playing Jordan, I probably would not have played," Allen told BBC Sport NI after his defeat at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast.
"
asserted
Allen → think → Belfast
I felt like I did not want my last match to be remembered for that semi-final in Sheffield.
asserted
match → feel → Sheffield
"I thought it would be a bit of nostalgia to go out playing Jordan in the Waterfront where it all started in 2005
asserted
it → think → 2005
that would be a more fitting end if I do call it a day.
Asked if he is considering drawing the curtain on his career, he replied: "Yeah."
'Today was not about the result'
The 40-year-old has had a decorated career, winning 12 ranking tournaments including the 2022 UK Championship since he turned professional in 2005.
However, this year has been a challenging one for Allen after he missed a match-winning black in the semi-final against Yize in May during the penultimate frame that would have taken him into his first World Championship final.
Allen went on to lose the final frame against eventual champion Yize and has since been a notable absentee from the World Snooker Tour circuit.
"The last three months have been really, really difficult and I think even just being here today is an achievement," added Allen.
uncertain
Allen → call → circuit
"For me, today was not about the result or the performance, it was trying to enjoy the experience of playing one of my best mates in one of my favourite arenas, in one of my favourite tournaments.
"
asserted
it → try → tournaments
I am not going to announce it [retirement] right now after a defeat but it is something I have been contemplating for a while and something needs to change within the next six weeks before the UK Championship for me to show up and I need to work hard on myself in the next few weeks and see what is around the corner."
asserted
what → go → corner
Allen 'a top bloke' - Brown
Allen received a warm response from his home crowd as he returned to the venue where he became back-to-back champion in 2021 and 2022.
asserted
he → receive → 2021
It was clear the respect that both players had for each other following the match with Allen adding he "wished Jordan well, I always do".
asserted
I → have → Jordan
The world number 65 said the win was "the least satisfying" he has ever had as he progressed to the last 32 to face Michael Holt.
asserted
he → say → Holt
"It is overwhelming for Mark here with his family, friends and all the fans who have paid good money to see him play," said Brown.
asserted
Brown → pay → money
I have my own battles to go through.
asserted
I → have → battles
I am in a precarious place in the rankings, and I lost my mum recently.
asserted
I → lose → mum
It just puts everything into perspective.
asserted
It → put → perspective
"The general public seem to think we are just robots who just turn up to pot a few balls, it is not like that at all."
asserted
it → seem → that
"I really hope so," Brown replied when asked if he thought Allen would reconsider retiring.
"The first words I said to him today was it was great to see him back and we had a big cuddle.
asserted
we → hope → cuddle
It is tough to see him going through that.
asserted
him → see → that
I have no doubt he will come back.
asserted
he → have → doubt
Snooker is his love, he is absolutely brilliant and the game and he is a top bloke, I wish him all the best."
asserted
I → wish → best
The Aporia
