NORWAY’S Kurt Maflin was lucky to escape a fine after giving the MIDDLE FINGER to the white ball.
The qualifier was on course for a 147 in the 16th frame but a wild shot ruined his chance at history and then he made the rude gesture in anger.
Referee Tatiana Woollaston gave him a warning, saying: “I saw that. I have to warn you. And the next one you lose the frame.”
Fans who spotted the hilarious gesture took to social media with one writing: “That is absolutely sensational.”
Another person said: “Hilarious. Can’t blame him really.”
A third added: “Iconic piece of television.”
World Snooker didn’t appear to see the funny side, warning Maflin although added he would receive no further punishment.
Maflin said after the contest: “I meant nothing by it – it was purely aggression being taken out on the cue ball.
“I felt like I’d worked really hard to get into that position… and when the white hit the yellow, it was just one of those reactions.
“She [Woollaston] was whispering and I thought she was telling me to tuck my shirt in, but she told me she had to warn me for the gesture.
<!--googleoff: all-->
<div class="sun-grid-container sun-grid-container--white">
<div class="sun-row ">
<div class="col sun-col-6">
<div class="rail rail--classic rail--trending theme-sport" data-slide-count="4" data-slide-count-tablet="4"> <div class="swiper-container">
<div class="rail__header">
<h3 class="rail__title theme__after-color">Most read in Other Sports</h3>
</div>
<div class="swiper-pagination theme__swiper-pagination"></div>
<div class="swiper-wrapper"> </div> <div class="swiper-button-prev theme__background-color-rgba-80"></div>
<div class="swiper-button-next theme__background-color-rgba-80"></div>
</div> </div> </div></div></div> <!-- .sun-grid-container .sun-grid-container--{color} -->
<!--googleon: all-->“I wasn’t quite with it at that stage.”
There were six centuries on display – a record for a first-round Crucible match – as Maflin beat David Gilbert 10-8 in the first shock of the event.
Meanwhile legend Ronnie O’Sullivan got off to a blistering start with an 8-1 advantage over Thepchaiya Un-Nooh heading into Monday’s contest.
Source: https://ift.tt/31aEjTu
#us #uk #gb #sport & #entertainment #showbiz & #cinema #local & #world #news & #top #stories of #politics #celebrities #actors
