Ex-snooker world champion would welcome Crucible move amid Hearn comments

However, Hossein Vafaei recently claimed the 980-capacity Crucible 'smells really bad' and the practice room feels like a 'garage'.

The venue's current deal to hold the World Snooker Championship is set to expire in 2027 and questions have been raised over its future.

And speaking to talkSPORT Drive, 2010 world champion Robertson said he could understand some of what Vafaei complained about.

"I think first of all, what he's said, it's very tough when especially at the world championships where literally a minute or so after you've shaken the guy's hand after a defeat, a microphone is put in front of you or a whole room of journalists.

"I think generally there's been a lot of talk about whether or not the World Championships should stay at the Crucible, move out of Sheffield entirely, obviously there's a lot of interest with Saudi Arabia and also China.

"I think he was just making the comparisons of the Crucible which is a very historic venue but it is outdated by a good sort of 20 years. On TV you don't see the backstage areas, it's very tight, there's only two practice tables amongst the 32 players that are competing through the week so getting practice times in is very tough.

"Of course you've only got two practice tables with four players who are playing so it means that two have to be sitting out as you're having your preparation. So a lot of things are not ideal, there's nothing you can do about it because of the size of the place.

"It is very tight for the space so I think Hossein was more alluding to that because I think if you look at some of the other venues you play at in China or some of the ones around the UK, they're a lot more modern and a lot better to accommodate the top players.

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"So, the smell part I don't know, I've never experienced anything like that before, everything's fine there, and world snooker they certainly do their best to try and make it as spacious as possible for the players and they are aware of the troubles.

"That's why Barry Hearn has kind of told Sheffield that you've got four years to build a new Crucible where you could have 2,500/3,000 people."

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Hearn, the founder and president of Matchroom Sport, recently told the BBC he is doing 'everything he can' to keep the championship in Sheffield but has warned it needs a bigger capacity venue.

Robertson was then asked if he would welcome a departure from the Crucible, he said: "For me that's fine. We have to move with the times, I don't think the championships should continue at the Crucible itself.

"I want a new Crucible built which I think would be amazing, like the new era is beginning. We have to move on with the times and with sport, sport is always growing and if you don't look to always take a sport forward then you're going backwards.

"Barry is absolutely right, none of the players want to leave Sheffield despite what some may say but we need a new venue. The prize money would at least double instantly, Barry Hearn has said that."

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He was then finally asked that if it was to leave Sheffield, should the tournament remain in this country, and he replied: "I certainly believe so, yes."

The 2024 World Snooker Championship is already underway, with Ronnie O'Sullivan chasing a record eighth title in the modern era.