Snooker star Chris Wakelin was on the receiving end of a controversial decision during Sunday’s World Championship clash with Neil Robertson. Both players were competing in the round of 16 match at the Crucible with a place in the quarter-final up for grabs, with Wakelin defeating Liam Pullen in the previous round of the competition.
Wakelin was trailing 7-6 and was 42 points in front in the 14th frame when referee Peggy Li called for a foul from the 34-year-old. The foul was called after Wakelin seemingly clipped the yellow ball with his cue as he potted a long-range red into the corner pocket.
Li called the foul immediately after Wakelin potted the red, with the player left bemused as to why he had been penalised.
The decision was checked on replay and subsequently confirmed, with Robertson awarded four points as a result of the foul.
Li went on to explain the reason for the decision to Wakelin, who was sitting back in his chair.
“Because it’s on this [left] side, I was on the right position, and then you [Wakelin] were very close when you lifted your cue out,” Li said.
“And then when you lifted your cue out it was slightly on the yellow, the cue. I’m sorry but I have to call it.”
The decision also perplexed commentators, including former world champion John Parrott, who weighed in on the incident.
“I didn’t see anything myself there, but Peggy is in a better position than I am,” Parrott said during BBC Sport’s coverage.
“It’s very difficult to see. When he followed through, the cue does make a tiny movement towards the yellow and we can’t see that and Peggy would be in a better position to see.”
Gary Wilson was also on punditry duty for the match and said it was a ‘controversial’ decision to give the foul. “She wouldn’t have called it unless she was sure, especially on review,” Wilson said. “Controversial one, maybe.”
Robertson went on to win the frame to take an 8-6 lead, and would go on to take the final two frames of the session and extend his lead to 10-6 heading into Monday. The winner of the match between Wakelin and Robertson will go on to face either John Higgins or Ronnie O’Sullivan in the quarter-final, which will take place later in the week.