Ronnie O’Sullivan praised after black-spot drama – ‘One of the greatest bits of sportsmanship I’ve ever seen’

Ronnie O’Sullivan obtained widespread reward for his show of sportsmanship within the twelfth body of his World Snooker Championship quarter-final towards Stuart Bingham after he refused to tackle a crimson that went.

The second arrived at a key level within the match, with O’Sullivan on the desk with an opportunity to eat into Bingham’s deficit within the body and transfer 7-5 forward stepping into on the mid-session interval.

After potting a elegant black, he appeared to land completely on the penultimate crimson till his path was blocked when referee Desislava Bozhilova put the color again on its spot.

There was confusion although because the black appeared to rock in a slight melancholy, with O’Sullivan asking for it to be respotted a number of instances.

“You would see there, there’s an indentation on this spot, so this black is nestling inside that little divot,” Dominic Dale mentioned on commentary for Eurosport.

“There’s something you are able to do as a referee when that occurs. I’ve by no means actually seen referee’s do that, however in the event you get one other ball out of a pocket and simply faucet down on the black, it is going to stay the place it ought to stay.

“This can be a downside for Ronnie. There’s an indentation in that black spot. I feel due to it, this crimson isn’t on. If the black was completely on its spot, didn’t fall inside that little gap, perhaps the crimson could be on. That’s the issue.

“There’s one thing else the referee can do right here; sure, you may press down on the spot.”

Bozhilova additionally observed the rolling and pressed down on the spot in an effort to alleviate the state of affairs and guarantee a good end result.

“You’re completely proper to ask for it to be respotted, however I may additionally see it rolling,” Bozhilova mentioned to O’Sullivan throughout their change. “However it stayed this time.”

The Rocket remained unconvinced that it was accurately on its spot, though he appeared capable of pot the crimson, and responded saying: “I simply don’t be ok with it to be trustworthy.”

He shook his head and uttered “I can’t take it” earlier than opting to play protected, an act which drew loads of reward on social media.

It was led by former world champion Neil Robertson on BBC commentary, who described it as “most likely one of many best bits of sportsmanship I’ve ever seen in any sport.”

Bozhilova: “I additionally see it rolling, so I’ll do my finest… it stayed this time. It has to go on its spot.”

O’Sullivan: “No, I do know that.”

Bozhilova: “I’m saying you’re completely proper to ask for it to be respotted, however I may additionally see it rolling. However it stayed this time.”

O’Sullivan: “I simply don’t be ok with it to be trustworthy.”

Bozhilova: “Stuart may take a look if he needs? I’m saying it’s proper on the spot now.”

Bingham: “I’ll belief Ronnie, no matter he says.”

Bozhilova: “However this time it’s on the spot. It didn’t roll off. It didn’t transfer this time.”

O’Sullivan (shaking head): “I can’t take it.”

Bozhilova: “That’s your alternative.”

O’Sullivan: “Yeah, I do know. I do know it’s my alternative.”

O’Sullivan: “Are you able to simply give it yet one more go?”

Bozhilova: “Okay, however that is the final time.”

O’Sullivan: “Simply let it roll on.”

Bozhilova: “It must be on the spot.”

O’Sullivan: “It goes.”

Bozhilova: “Sure, it’s on the spot.”