WST boss criticises O'Sullivan for 'damaging and misguided' remarks
In an interview with The Sportsman earlier this week, O'Sullivan claimed snooker is "in the worst place it's ever been" and its state is "beyond a crisis" regarding the recent match-fixing scandal.
The seven-time world champion also said players are afraid to speak out over the prize money currently on offer in fear of being fined and suggested the idea of a strike to force change.
But Dawson, who took control of the WST two years ago, believes O'Sullivan's comments were "misguided" and "disrespectful" to snooker's management and players and suggested he needs to be more of a positive ambassador for the sport.
"Ronnie is a fantastic player and a legend of our sport, but sometimes his misguided comments go too far," Dawson said in a WST statement. "I feel it's necessary to respond to some of the damaging remarks he made to the press this week.
"Firstly, Ronnie has never attended a players' meeting or engaged with us to discuss his opinions. There are three formal levels where he can provide feedback: through the WST Board, through the WPBSA Players’ board or through players' meetings, and he has not engaged through any of these channels. He also has my number and is welcome to speak with me directly.
"He often compares snooker to golf and tennis, but I would challenge him as to whether for his part he elevates the sport and acts as a role model like a Rory McIlroy or Roger Federer.
"We are striving to take snooker to a higher level, but we need the players to be ambassadors in public, and to communicate any concerns they have through the right channels.
"Comments like those from Ronnie this week are damaging to us as a sport – and they’re unfounded."
O'Sullivan's outburst comes just three weeks before he goes in search of a record-breaking eighth World Championship title at the Crucible Theatre.
The 47-year-old was last in action at the WST Classic in Leicester last week but withdrew ahead of his second-round match due to an elbow injury.
