O'Sullivan to escape Masters rap

O'Sullivan will avoid the press for the rest of the Masters

Ronnie O'Sullivan will not be punished for failing to attend a media briefing after his Masters win over Ali Carter.

O'Sullivan snubbed journalists after being critcised for his walkout at last month's UK Championship in York.

He looked set for disciplinary action but it has emerged he met World Snooker Chairman Sir Rodney Walker last week who excused him further media duties.

A statement said it was "not in the interests of the player, tournament and the sport" for him to face the media.

The World Snooker statement said that in the meeting O'Sullivan relayed his ongoing difficulties in his personal life to Walker.

It read: "They agreed that for the Saga Masters, he would be excused from fulfilling the normal contractual requirements with the media and sponsors, which all players are required to undertake.

"Sir Rodney informed the chair of the sport's disciplinary committee (director Jim McMahon) of his decision at the start of the tournament.

"Sir Rodney understands and accepts that his decision will be a disappointment to the media and the tournament sponsor.

"He is, however, convinced that to expose Ronnie to the added pressures of exposure to the media would not be in the interests of the player, the tournament and the sport."

O'Sullivan is still waiting to hear whether there will be any punishment for walking out of his UK Championship quarter-final against Stephen Hendry last month.