Snooker referee threatens to kick fans out of the Crucible in World Championship incident

Jack Otway
Sat, 02 May 2026 17:19:36 +0000

Spectators at the Crucible Theatre received a stern warning from referee Tatiana Woollaston during Saturday's World Championship semi-final between Shaun Murphy and John Higgins after a mobile phone disrupted play.

The incident occurred just 15 minutes into the afternoon session, with Murphy building towards victory in the 25th frame having potted the black to reach 70-0.

Woollaston paused proceedings to address the audience directly: "Please, can everyone check their phones and switch them off and put them on silent.

"You don't want to be the one I ask to leave if it rings again."

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The crowd responded with applause, coming less than 24 hours after widespread complaints about audience behaviour during the tournament's longest ever frame.

Murphy demonstrated remarkable composure following the interruption, going on to compile a break of 132 to close the gap to a single frame at 13-12.

The world number eight maintained his momentum with another impressive contribution, putting together 127 to draw level with his Scottish opponent.

Higgins, however, responded emphatically to regain control of the contest.

The four-time world champion moved two frames clear with just five remaining in the best-of-33 encounter.

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The semi-final had already been affected by crowd issues during Friday's play, when a spectator shouted encouragement for Higgins just as Murphy prepared to take his break shot.

Pundit Dennis Taylor expressed his frustration at the disruption, stating: "What are they shouting about? Just get them out of the Crucible, we don't need that in our game."

The incidents during the Murphy-Higgins clash followed a particularly controversial evening on Friday that had already tested the patience of players, officials and television commentators alike at the Sheffield venue.

The previous evening's match between Wu Yize and Mark Allen had produced what many considered a farcical spectacle, with a single frame stretching to nearly two hours and featuring 75 safety shots.

Paying spectators voiced their displeasure audibly as the tactical stalemate dragged on, with Wu eventually claiming the frame.

Snooker legend Steve Davis condemned the episode, declaring: "In a nutshell that frame is an embarrassment to snooker.

"And the referees' and the players' association need to try to work out a way that never happens again."

Former world champions Stephen Hendry and John Parrott, working as commentators, suggested referee Marcel Eckhart should have called for a re-rack at least twenty minutes sooner.

Eckhart subsequently consulted with tournament officials and encouraged both players to adopt more attacking approaches.