Ronnie O’Sullivan is hailed for one of the ‘greatest bits of sportsmanship ever’ during World Snooker Championships quarter-final clash with Stuart Bingham

Ronnie O’Sullivan has been lauded for producing what is being called ‘one of the greatest bits of sportsmanship ever’ during his World Snooker Championship quarter-final clash against Stuart Bingham. 

The seven-time world champion led the match 6-5 coming into a pivotal moment, in which O’Sullivan could have claimed a commanding two-frame lead. 

After he had previously potted the black, the ‘Rocket’ had to pot the penultimate red to continue his break. 

But his path to the pocket had been blocked after referee Desislava Bozhilova stepped in to re-place the black on the snooker table – with the white ball just marginally nestled behind the black. A bizarre moment followed, with O’Sullivan seeming to believe that the black ball had ever-so-slightly rolled off its spot, opening up an angle towards the red.

The world No 1 had even called his opponent Bingham in to take a look at its placement and was also seen asking Bozhilova to replace the ball multiple times.

The referee can be overheard, per Euro Sport, saying to O’Sullivan: ‘You’re absolutely right to ask for it to be respotted, I could also see it rolling.’ 

Bozhilova had also attempted to smooth out the spot on which the black ball rests. 

After several attempts to stop the ball from rocking, it appeared his chances of hitting the red into the corner pocket had seemingly been improved by the black’s placement, but O’Sullivan appeared uneasy with the situation and opted to end his break of 28, playing a safety shot instead. 

The British snooker champion had also said to the referee before taking his shot: ‘I just don’t feel good about it to be honest,’ with the seven-time world champion seen shaking his head and sticking out his tongue.

It meant that the O’Sullivan would give up his chance to take a commanding lead on Bingham, with the latter going on to claim the frame and level the scores at 6-6. 

Despite missing out on adding another frame to his score, O’Sullivan’s safety was met by rapturous applause from the spectators inside the crucible, acknowledging his moment of brilliance.  

Former World Snooker Champion Neil Robertson equally lumped praise on the British player for his actions, while also claiming that the referee was also not at fault. 

‘If he plays safe here this will probably be the greatest bit of sportsmanship I’ve ever seen in any sport – unbelievable,’ the 2010 world champion said to BBC Sport.

‘He could have played that red. I’ve never seen anything like that before.

‘That really is absolutely incredible what Ronnie has done there – to refuse a pot with a great chance of going 7-5 up because he didn’t believe that he could get through to the red if the black was perfectly on its spot. 

‘It’s through no fault of the referee either – it’s just one of those situations in this sport where not even a millimetre can make the biggest of differences.’

Some snooker fans took to social media to also lump praise on O’Sullivan, with one writing: ‘Well I’ve given Ronnie plenty of stick down the years for questionable behaviour but this is complete different level in terms of sportsmanship, fair play hope he wins his eighth world now.’

Another added: ‘This is what elevates the truly greats from the merely top class at their sports in my opinion. “Great” is a term banded about too loosely and I believe a TRUE great can be at the top of their game or sport yet STILL respect the sport and it’s opponents. Others could learn a thing from Ronnie here.’

One fan simply added: ‘Incredible piece of sportsmanship from Ronnie here.’  

The match would continue with O’Sullivan pulling ahead to go 8-6 up, before Bingham would respond by taking the final two sets to leave the pair all-square at the end of the second session at 8-8.