WORLD SNOOKER has indicated that Ali Carter’s world ranking position will be frozen while he receives treatment for lung cancer.

A World Snooker statement read: “Following the recent announcement regarding Ali Carter’s current illness, both the WPBSA and World Snooker would like to make it clear that Ali’s current standing as a player will not suffer in relation to an extended period of time away from the tour. Further details will be released once Ali has completed his course of chemotherapy and wants to return to competition. We all look forward to welcoming Ali back to the World Snooker Tour in the not too distant future.”

The statement does not explicitly refer to freezing Carter’s ranking but this is the preferred option of WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson.

When Paul Hunter was suffering from cancer in 2006, players voted to change the WPBSA constitution so that a player’s world ranking could be frozen in the event of serious illness. Carter is currently the world no.13. The period for which he will require treatment is not known but he will not be playing in the near future.

In times like this, on-table rivalries are put to one side. The vast majority of players would support this humane decision.

Some things are more important than who can pot the most balls or make the biggest breaks. Carter’s plight reminds us all that snooker really is just a game.

Photographs by Monique Limbos.