Shaun Murphy demands answers from World Snooker Championship staff after controversial incident

Jack Otway
Wed, 22 Apr 2026 11:11:04 +0000

Shaun Murphy is seeking explanations from World Snooker following what has been dubbed the 'Lightgate' controversy at the Crucible.

The 2005 world champion was left furious on Tuesday evening when table lights unexpectedly illuminated during a pivotal moment in his opening-round encounter with Fan Zhengyi.

With the score locked at 8-8, Murphy was preparing to pot the blue when lights from the adjacent table suddenly switched back on mid-stroke.

The incident occurred as officials had initially dimmed the neighbouring table to allow spectators to watch the conclusion of the Judd Trump versus Gary Wilson match.

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Despite the disruption, Murphy managed to secure a 10-9 victory and will face Xiao Guodong in the second round on Thursday.

Murphy described how the sudden illumination completely disrupted his concentration at the worst possible moment.

"I was on the blue, and it really put me off because, as I was about to strike, the lights came on, I didn't hit that ball as I intended," he said.

The former champion explained he had planned to strike the ball with greater force but was forced to check his shot.

"I was lucky the blue went in because literally, as I was about to hit the ball, I could see the reflection of the light come on the blue, and it totally took my eye off," Murphy added.

Immediately after completing the frame, he sought out officials backstage to register his complaint, regardless of the eventual outcome.

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Murphy made clear he would have been deeply upset had the lighting malfunction cost him the match.

He revealed he encountered the tournament director in the corridor straight after the frame and insisted an investigation was necessary whatever the result.

"I said: 'Regardless of whether I win or lose, I think we need to look into what's happened here,'" Murphy explained.

The 2005 champion suggested the error could have serious consequences for those responsible.

"World Snooker are having an inquest; somebody might not be employed tomorrow," he warned.

Murphy noted that basic standards had been breached, though he acknowledged unusual occurrences are not unprecedented at the Sheffield venue.

"It's only a few years since we had a pigeon in here," he remarked.

The lighting controversy was not the only incident to frustrate Murphy during his first-round victory.

A spectator, believed to be seated in the front row, shouted "shit shot" after the applause had died down following what Murphy considered a well-executed blue.

"It's unlike me, I would normally confront somebody like that because we're not football, you don't behave like that at the Crucible," Murphy stated.

The interruption proved costly, as the former world champion admitted he was still dwelling on the comment when he addressed his next shot.

"Before I knew it, I'd missed the red, it was a lesson, I suppose, that if you're disturbed, start again," he reflected.