Snooker referee Marcel Eckardt has issued a statement after halting the World Snooker Championship semi-final because of a fan.
During a crucial moment in the semi-final between Jak Jones and Stuart Bingham at The Crucible, the referee stopped the match to confront a fan, who was coughing in the audience.
The match was subsequently delayed during the final frame due to the coughs, which came just before Bingham was about to take a shot.
Eckardt approached the spectator in the crowd after Bingham missed the shot, saying: “Are you alright, sir? One more sound and I will ask you to leave.”
The referee continued to deal with the matter after the fan denied any wrongdoing, prompting the German official to ask: “Who was it who made the sound then?”
At the time, Eckardt was criticised for his efforts, with Eurosport commentators saying: “Goodness, Jak Jones needs to concentrate here.
“I don’t know what Marcel is doing getting involved with this. Can’t we just get on with the game, please? This is the biggest moment of Jak Jones’ life.”
The referee has since released a statement on social media, writing: “To clear things up: I witnessed misbehaviour on multiple occasions coming from a specific area in the crowd during the last frame which in the end forced a player to miss a crucial shot.
“I do realise that the timing wasn’t great, but I felt that I had to say something.
“It took too long and it was ott considering the circumstances. I do apologise to everyone who didn’t understand what was going on. Lesson learnt.”
Jones went on to win the match 17-12 to book himself a shot at the World Snooker Championship title.
He faces Kyren Wilson in the final after a historic run, beating Bingham, Judd Trump and Si Jiahui en route to potential glory.
But the Welshman came in for criticism for his style of play, something Jones has angrily rebutted.
He said prior to Sunday’s final: “It seems like a common excuse that these players use against me.
“They are supposed to be the best players in the world but they are moaning about being knocked out of their rhythm.
“They always have to say the same thing after they lose against me. They just can’t accept it.
“It’s pathetic really, isn’t it? The worst thing I’ve noticed when I’m playing them is that I feel like they want to play that game.”
News Summary:
- World Snooker Championship semi-final halted as referee Marcel Eckardt confronts fan
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