Ronnie O’Sullivan Calls Out Referee for Blunder Live on TV at World Snooker Championship

The World Snooker Championship at the Crucible has seen its fair share of drama, but none more so than when Ronnie O’Sullivan called out a referee for a blunder live on TV.

The incident occurred during O’Sullivan’s clash with Jackson Page in the first round of the championship. The seven-time winner was dominating the game, making breaks of 54, 56, 81, 122, 66, and 53 to take a commanding lead over Page.

However, the real drama unfolded in the ninth frame when referee Leo Scullion mistakenly placed the pink ball on the blue spot. O’Sullivan quickly jumped in, using his cue to point out the error to Scullion, who apologized as the crowd erupted in laughter.

“I don’t regard myself as the greatest. I’m one of them, maybe. You’ve got Hendry, [six-time world champion Steve] Davis, and my hat’s in the ring with them.” - Ronnie O’Sullivan

O’Sullivan’s Humble Approach to Greatness

Despite being one of the greatest snooker players of all time, O’Sullivan remains humble about his achievements. When asked about his chances of becoming the first person to win the World Snooker Championship eight times, he downplayed his own abilities.

“I’ve had a different career to them. They did it over a ten-year period, whereas I’ve sort of gone off track, got myself together, back off track, then got myself back together,” O’Sullivan said.

A moment of focus for Ronnie O’Sullivan

A Look Back at O’Sullivan’s Colourful Career

From his lightning breaks to his blasts at officials, Ronnie O’Sullivan has always been a force to be reckoned with in the world of snooker. But it’s not just his skills on the table that have made headlines - his personal life has been just as colourful.

O’Sullivan has been open about his battles with addiction and weight issues, and his on-off relationship with British actress Laila Rouass has been well-documented. Despite being worth £14 million, O’Sullivan is known for his love of canal boats and has been spotted snubbing flashy cars.

O’Sullivan’s love for canal boats

What’s Next for O’Sullivan?

After signing a three-year ambassadorial deal with Saudi Arabia, O’Sullivan has put retirement talks on hold. Matchroom president Barry Hearn is backing him to make history at the Crucible, and with his current form, it’s hard to bet against him.

O’Sullivan in action at the Crucible