Mark Allen’s prolonged absence from competitive snooker has taken another worrying turn, with the world No.13 withdrawing from yet another tournament after citing “personal reasons”.
The Northern Irishman was scheduled to return to action in the International Championship qualifying round, where he was due to face Thailand’s Thanawat Tirapongpaiboon on September 19. However, the World Snooker Tour has confirmed that Allen has pulled out of the event, with Welsh amateur Duane Jones stepping into his place.
The withdrawal represents the seventh tournament Allen has missed during the new season. His previous absences include the Championship League, Shanghai Masters, China Open, Wuhan Open, British Open and English Open.
Allen’s continued absence is particularly notable because he was one of the standout performers towards the end of the previous campaign. He reached the semi-finals of the 2026 World Championship at the Crucible and came agonisingly close to reaching a first world final.
Against China’s Wu Yize, Allen led 16–15 and had opportunities to close out the match. He eventually lost 17–16 in a dramatic deciding frame. The semi-final also produced a remarkable 100-minute frame, which became the longest frame ever played at the Crucible.
Since that defeat, however, Allen has not returned to professional competition.
His latest withdrawal also means he will not defend the English Open title he won last year. Allen produced a dramatic comeback victory over Zhou Yuelong in the 2025 final, winning 9–8 to claim his 12th ranking title. The 2026 tournament is currently being staged in Brentwood, with Allen’s absence guaranteeing a new champion.
The immediate concern for supporters is now how long the break will continue. Allen is scheduled to play Belgian Ben Mertens in a held-over qualifier for the Shenzhen Open on September 28, although his participation cannot be taken for granted following another withdrawal. There are also questions surrounding his appearance at the Northern Ireland Open in Belfast next month, which would normally be a significant occasion for the home favourite.
Importantly, no further details about Allen’s “personal reasons” have been made public. There is therefore no confirmed indication that his absence is connected to illness, injury or any specific problem, and it would be inappropriate to speculate.
What is clear is that one of snooker’s leading players has now missed a significant portion of the early season. At 40, Allen remains a major figure on the professional circuit, and fans will be hoping that he is able to resolve whatever is keeping him away from the table and make a return when he is ready.
For now, the sport can only wait for further word from Allen or his representatives, while his seventh withdrawal leaves his comeback date uncertain.If you want, I can also make this , or give you a more dramatic and tabloid-style for Facebook/YouTube.shorter, stronger headline
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