Snooker referee forced to issue apology after World Championship blunder

Jack Otway
Sat, 18 Apr 2026 14:21:55 +0000

An experienced snooker official found himself in an embarrassing situation during the opening session of the World Championship at the Crucible on Saturday.

Referee Rob Spencer, who has been officiating since 2011, incorrectly declared frame eight to be the final frame of the session during the match between defending champion Zhao Xintong and English qualifier Liam Highfield.

The former police officer from Stockport had apparently confused the format with that of the Tour Championship in Manchester, where he had recently officiated.

The session was actually scheduled for nine frames out of a possible 19, with players needing 10 frames to progress.

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Highfield, competing at the tournament for the first time in four years, was the one who alerted Spencer to his mistake, pointing out that another frame remained in the session.

The 35-year-old Stoke player's intervention prompted Spencer to quickly correct himself: "Oh, hang on. No. No, it isn't. No. Sorry.

"I'm stuck from the other week, aren't I? Correction. The eighth frame. Liam Highfield to break."

Spectators on that side of the auditorium found the moment amusing, and Spencer acknowledged his blunder while thanking Highfield for stepping in.

When Spencer finally announced the genuine final frame before frame nine, the crowd responded with applause and laughter.

The morning and afternoon session at table one saw reigning champion Xintong begin his bid to overcome the so-called Crucible Curse, which has prevented every first-time world champion from successfully defending their title.

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The Chinese player, who claimed victory at the Tour Championship that had caused Spencer's confusion, was spotted yawning in his chair during his return to the Sheffield venue.

Xintong had opened his title defence against Highfield with the first session commencing at 10am, giving one player an advantage as they pursued the 10 frames required for victory in the first-round encounter.

This year's World Championship runs from Saturday, April 18 to Monday, May 4.

This year is particularly special, marking the 50th consecutive year the prestigious ranking tournament has been staged at the iconic Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.

Defending champion Zhao enters as the strong bookmakers' favorite to break the infamous "Crucible curse" and successfully retain his title.

However, he faces stiff competition.

Judd Trump and Ronnie O'Sullivan - who is hunting a historic, record-breaking eighth world title - are close behind him in the betting odds.

Four-time winner Mark Selby and former champion Kyren Wilson are also major contenders for the £500,000 top prize.