Snooker star Kyren Wilson is at the centre of a conduct row after he threw an astonishing tantrum during a match.
English player Wilson, 34, was losing 5-3 to Liam Highfield at the International Championship in China on Sunday when he launched his cue onto the table in frustration ahead of the next frame.
His cue clattered into several balls, scatterinh them across the table and leaving referee Dai Liang shocked, before he gave Wilson a firm stare as he walked off.
Wilson subsequently returned and won the match 6-5, and although he later apologised to the official, the Englishman claimed his antics were necessary to fire him up amid his mid-game struggles.
‘I’m not saying it’s the right thing to do,’ Wilson said. ‘But it was the right thing for me to do in that moment to get myself geed up and going again.’
Wilson’s actions were widely condemned and fellow snooker star Neil Robertson subsequently launched a lengthy rant on social media highlighting how the incident was indicative of wider behavioural issues within the sport.
English snooker star Kyren Wilson launched his cue on the table in frustration during a match
Wilson’s cue hit several balls and scattered them over the table, leaving the referee shocked
Robertson said: ‘Obviously Kyren would like his time again and you have addressed it @TWSportsManager.
‘But in general the sporting conduct in snooker is in the absolute bin and something really needs to get done about it.
‘In other instances I’m seeing the equivalent of players launch their golf bag down as someone is about to make a putt and think it’s clever play if they miss.’
Robertson then insisted officials needed to be better, and suggested that male referees are letting their female counterparts down.
‘Seems the only referees in our sport who don’t physically have a pair are the ones who have any balls to call this behaviour out,’ he added.
‘The integrity of snooker has fallen off a cliff to 20 years ago.’
It is unclear if Robertson was referring to any specific examples, but there has been a rise in players complaining about issues such as slow play, general gamesmanship and mid-game toilet breaks in recent times.
Wilson’s antics mean the snooker star is now at the centre of a behaviour row within the sport
Speaking after the incident, Wilson revealed his apology to the referee also included buying him a cupcake, before he tried to provide context for his behaviour.
‘It’s a tough one really. I’ve always been a fiery character, I’ve always had that little bit of that temper side in me,’ he said.
‘That’s something that has made me a winner over the years, I feel like that little bit of fire in your belly is the difference in a winner sometimes.
‘It was just something I just needed to get out of my system, I kind of bottled up my emotions for eight frames.’
Wilson continued: ‘I’ve played Liam for many years, since we were about 11 years old, he’s kind of changed his style of play, if I can put it lightly, and it just frustrated me over the course of eight frames.
‘I’m not saying it’s the right thing to do, but it was the right thing for me to do in that moment to get myself geed up and going again.’
Wilson’s management added: ‘Out of frustration with how the game is going. Doesn’t make it acceptable or right, that’s why he apologised to the referee after.
‘Some players punch tables. Some players throw rests & cues. Some players smash balls around the table.
‘Elite sport frustration. Doesn’t make any of them right. It’s what happens within the moment. Apologise & move on.’
