‘Greatest sportsmanship I’ve EVER seen’ – BBC snooker commentator praises Ronnie O’Sullivan after ‘horrible situation’ | JFU33YN | 2024-05-02 02:08:01
'Greatest sportsmanship I've EVER seen' – BBC snooker commentator praises Ronnie O'Sullivan after 'horrible situation' | JFU33YN | 2024-05-02 02:08:01
RONNIE O'SULLIVAN produced an amazing bit of sportsmanship in his World Snooker Championship clash against Stuart Bingham.
With the 12th frame of the quarter-final tie in the balance, O'Sullivan decided against extending his break of 28.
That is because the world number one felt the black ball was not put back on its spot accurately.
Referee Desislava Bozhilova ruled that the ball was in its proper position, but O'Sullivan was unsure and even called on his opponent to inspect.
O'Sullivan, 48, appeared concerned with how the black was rocking forward despite assurances from the referee that it had stayed in position, with commentator John Parrott describing it as a "horrible situation".
After a consultation Bingham gave the Rocket the go-ahead too, but O'Sullivan still felt uneasy about the situation so decided to play a safety shot when a pot was on.
Co-commentator Neil Robertson reacted saying: "It's unbelievable. If he plays safe here this will be probably the greatest bit of sportsmanship I've ever seen in any sport.
"Unbelievable. Incredible. He could have potted that red. I've never seen anything like that before."
Parrott echoed Robertson's sentiment as the pair compared O'Sullivan's act to Paulo Di Canio catching the ball instead of scoring because the opposing goalkeeper was down injured in a game between West Ham and Everton.
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Pundits Steve Davis and Ken Doherty provided a different take on the incident, with Davis saying: "If he could then pot it if Desislava actually physically moved it away from the spot then it was nice of Ronnie to play it.
"But he wouldn't have gone through that scenario if he didn't fancy that it was a potable ball."
<!-- End of Brightcove Player --> </div> </div> Doherty added: "I think he was also self-concious that if he did pot it it would be a controversial situation. He probably didn't want that in his own head and that's why he decided to play safe.
"It was a very difficult situation for both player and referee."
O'Sullivan later revealed he wanted to prove to the referee that she had made a mistake.
He said: "To be honest with you, some of the referees I think they've got it in for me.
"So I just wanted to prove to her that she'd got it wrong.
"I thought, you know what, I didn't feel good about having to pot the ball after that.
"But I just wanted to make a point. The point was made.
"I'm not that hungry to win in that way. I am more of a principled person, so once the principle's been made I can sleep at night."
Fans also praised O'Sullivan with one saying: "Just seen Ronnie O'Sullivan with some of the greatest piece of sportsmanship I have ever seen in world sports 
Another added: "Ronnie O'Sullivan is a class act above absolutely everything else. Say what you will about him but he absolutely a true competitor in the purest sense of the word."
And a third said: "Ronnie O'Sullivan playing safe when he was clearly on the red to not gain an advantage? Ronnie has been a nightmare to refs in the past but he was exemplary there."
Bingham went on to clear up and win the frame which tied the match at 6-6.
And O'Sullivan's sportsmanship ultimately proved costly as Bingham went on to win the match 13-10, winning the last three frames.
<p class="article__content--intro"> RONNIE O'SULLIVAN has enjoyed an incredible career as snooker's biggest star. </p> </div> </div></p><div class="hashtags">#greatest #sportsmanship #ive #seen #bbc #snooker #commentator #praises #ronnie #osullivan #horrible #situation #US #UK #NZ #PH #NY #LNDN #Manila #Sport </div></div> More >> https://ift.tt/vJ95Uqm Source: MAG NEWS
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