Ronnie O’Sullivan received widespread praise for his display of sportsmanship in the 12th frame of his World Snooker Championship quarter-final against Stuart Bingham after the black seemingly wouldn’t settle on its spot.
The moment arrived at a key point in the match, with O’Sullivan at the table with a chance to eat into Bingham’s deficit in the frame and move 7-5 ahead going in at the mid-session interval.
After potting a sublime black, he appeared to land perfectly on the penultimate red until his path was blocked when referee Desislava Bozhilova put the colour back on its spot.
There was confusion though as the black appeared to rock in a slight depression, with O’Sullivan asking for it to be respotted several times.
“You could see there, there’s an indentation in this spot, so this black is nestling within that little divot,” Dominic Dale said on commentary for Eurosport.
“There is something you can do as a referee when that happens. I’ve never really seen referee’s do this, but if you get another ball out of a pocket and just tap down on the black, it will remain where it should remain.
“This is a problem for Ronnie. There’s an indentation in that black spot. I think because of it, this red isn’t on. If the black was absolutely on its spot, didn’t fall within that little hole, maybe the red would be on. That’s the problem.
“There’s something else the referee can do here; yes, you can press down on the spot.”
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‘What a shot!’ – O’Sullivan rolls in ‘absolute cracker’ of a long red against Bingham
Bozhilova also noticed the rolling and pressed down on the spot in an effort to alleviate the situation and ensure a fair outcome.
“You’re absolutely right to ask for it to be respotted, but I could also see it rolling,” Bozhilova said to O’Sullivan during their exchange. “But it stayed this time.”
O’Sullivan responded saying: “I just don’t feel good about it to be honest.”
When it finally settled, The Rocket still seemed unconvinced and it was unclear whether the red was ultimately on.
He shook his head and uttered “I can’t take it” before opting to play safe, an act which drew plenty of praise on social media.
It was led by former world champion Neil Robertson on BBC commentary, who described it as “probably one of the greatest bits of sportsmanship I’ve ever seen in any sport.”
The exchange between O’Sullivan and the referee
Bozhilova: “I also see it rolling, so I’ll do my best… it stayed this time. It has to go on its spot.”
O’Sullivan: “No, I know that.”
Bozhilova: “I’m saying you’re absolutely right to ask for it to be respotted, but I could also see it rolling. But it stayed this time.”
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O’Sullivan bangs cue on table after miss at World Snooker Championship
O’Sullivan: “I just don’t feel good about it to be honest.”
Bozhilova: “Stuart could have a look if he wants? I’m saying it’s right on the spot now.”
Bingham: “I’ll trust Ronnie, whatever he says.”
Bozhilova: “But this time it’s on the spot. It didn’t roll off. It did not move this time.”
O’Sullivan (shaking head): “I can’t take it.”
Bozhilova: “That’s your choice.”
O’Sullivan: “Yeah, I know. I know it’s my choice.”
O’Sullivan: “Can you just give it one more go?”
Bozhilova: “Okay, but this is the last time.”
O’Sullivan: “Just let it roll on.”
Bozhilova: “It needs to be on the spot.”
O’Sullivan: “It goes.”
Bozhilova: “Yes, it’s on the spot.”
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