“No doubt I’ll face backlash again for saying this but the announcement of the Jimmy White wild card is shocking,” the Northern Irish player wrote.

“Nothing against Jimmy personally but some awful decisions being made right now by World Snooker Tour.”

Allen said that he understood that Fu was an exceptional case.

Marco Fu likely to retain place on pro snooker tour despite drop in ranking caused by Covid-19 pandemic inactivity

“I don’t agree with wild cards full stop. EVERYONE should earn their spots in my opinion. Marco Fu is a whole different story as COVID has prevented him from competing this season.”

Fu has not played since the Welsh Open in February 2020, returning to Hong Kong after his tournament exit because of Covid-19.

“The world tour is still continuing but the pandemic situation is so serious that even my family would certainly not allow me to go,” Fu told the Post in November.

Marco Fu – ‘no-brainer’ to give Hong Kong star a pro tour card, fans say, as ex-world No 5 looks forward to return

“The Sports Institute also advises us not to go unless you are already there and cannot come back to Hong Kong.”

Fu said that he hoped to be given a wild card at the time. “I hope World Snooker would consider granting me a wild card,” he said in November.

“I have no plans to quit the tour and still look forward to playing again next season. One of the possible ways is to get a wild card but this is solely at the world tour’s own discretion.

“The pandemic is a novel situation which we have never come across but it has affected my career. I hope they will take this point.”

The former world No 5 will not take part in the upcoming World Championship this month.