MARK ALLEN could be charged with bringing the game into disrepute after he used “inappropriate language” during a post-match tirade against World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn.

Northern Irishman Allen was heavily critical of the decision to shorten the early rounds of the UK Championship, where he was a first-round victor over Adrian Gunnell on Monday.

A statement from World Snooker read: “Following Mark Allen’s use of inappropriate language in his press conference at the williamhill.com UK Championship, he has been referred to the World Professional Snooker and Billiards Association (WPBSA)’s disciplinary committee as he is in breach of tournament rules and could be charged with bringing the game into disrepute.”

Allen claimed Hearn was trying to create a similar atmosphere to that which exists in darts.

But WBPSA chairman Jason Ferguson defended the new-look structure of the tournament.

He said: “We consult with players and try to be available at venues and, up until yesterday, Mark Allen had not expressed anything about the changes.

“I can see his argument but the format hasn’t changed. We’re playing snooker, the game hasn’t changed. Barry promised not to change the fundamental principles of what snooker is.

“Our events must look different, they can’t look the same. We’ve seen a huge growth in our sport due to changes taking place. I don’t think tradition has been taken away. The audience are silent, we have a terrific crowd.

“We have different events, but this event is still traditional.”