Only one snooker player has exemption from strict clothing rule that World Championship stars slammed

Only one player holds a strict exemption from a clothing rule that has been part of the World Snooker Tour for decades.

Over the years, snooker players have often been held to a strict dress code which sees each player wear a waistcoat, shirt and bow tie.

Some of the regulations have been relaxed over the years, with the Snooker Shootout tournament introducing more of a casual dress code for players.

This year's Masters tournament allowed players to wear a bow tie rather than a long black tie, while the Home Nations events permits player to wear a black shirt with no tie combination.

However, the traditional dress code in most snooker events is still a waistcoat and bow tie combination, which has been criticised by a number of players for its lack of modernity.

Four-time world champion John Higgins said in January: "I know we have the black shirts for the Home Nations, but that's just the same old, same old. Implementing a different attire can help attract a different clientele to the game.

"I definitely think that could be the way forward for snooker."

World number two Judd Trump also called for change to the dress code - because accusing World Snooker of ignoring his ideas.

He told Metro: "They've just tried to let it blow over, but I'll keep on making my point until it sinks in that I'm not saying it just to moan, they're things that need to be said.

"No-one seems to want to listen or pay any attention to what players have to say."

While some tournaments offer the players the chance to pick and choose whether to wear a bow tie or not, one player has a blanket exemption from wearing them at all.

That is world number 28 Stephen Maguire, who qualified for the Crucible by beating Chinese player Yuan Sijun 10-6 on Judgement Day.

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The Scot, a six-time ranking event winner, defeated Ali Carter 10-7 in one of the games of the first round so far - during which he produced one of the shots of the tournament.

Fans watching the match wouldn't have seen the Scot wearing a bow tie.

That is because Maguire suffers from a neck condition that allows him to have an exemption, and he instead wears an open-necked shirt during matches.

Luca Brecel also didn't wear a bow tie during his first round defeat to David Gilbert, although the Belgian has been suffering from a throat infection in recent days and doesn't normally have an exemption.

On his neck condition, Maguire explained: "I played with a bow tie for my first few years as a professional, but developed a neck condition and that really put me off.

"I went to the doctor, and he managed to get a letter to allow me to play without it.

Maguire continued: "I have really climbed the rankings since then, so I think that was a significant factor."