Ronnie O'Sullivan vs Mark Allen "Bullying" Incident | Investigation & Analysis | SnookerUA

Exceptional controversial snooker argument between Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark Allen from Champion Of Champions Snooker 2020
O'Sullivan was about to take his shot during the quarter-final in Milton Keynes when he started gesturing to Allen to "sit down" as he observed in the far corner: "Can you sit still? You're standing up and moving in my eyeline"
Outro sound: Escape to Space by Evgeny B. & Fahim K.
• Best Epic Music Ever "...
#snooker #ronnieosullivan

[@aledwards6119]

That's why they provide chairs so you can sit when it's not your turn.

[@MuhammedAli-so4hs]

Yeah but you should sit still not moving here and there because it will lose the focus of opponents.. Soo we should take care of everyone.

[@JalandharShere]

You are allowed to stand as long as its behind the players. Allen was in the wrong however a polite word to him early in the match and allen wouldve stopped it. Not necessary to play slower just to wind him up when clearly evident its effecting your own game more

[@aliamir5718]

shute up crazy

[@benwoods1860]

I watched this live and initially thought Ronnie was just going off one. Having seen the full analysis I think he was making a valid point. No need for Allen to stand where he was. Could of sat in his seat a few feet away.

[@simontunnicliffe2107]

I thought the same but now looking at this, I can see where Ronnie is coming from but on the other hand, I doubt Mark did it on purpose.

[@seanmac.7130]

@@simontunnicliffe2107 he did it before against Selby. Allen uses it as a tactic to put his opponent off.

[@SpencerDonahue]

@@seanmac.7130 small man syndrome. He lives in Ronnie's shadow and he can't stand it.

[@mrsillywalk]

@@SpencerDonahue But he beat him here.

[@shazanali692]

I always thought Ronnie was taking the piss, but now I know he was in the right cheers

[@whodouthinkuare]

At first I thought Ronnie was wrong to have a go at Mark, but having seen the exact circumstances, I think he was well within his rights. There is an unwritten rule in snooker, that you dont become "spotted" or "seen" in your opponents eyeline, through unnecessary or deliberate movement when your not at the table. You should always remain seated while your opponent is at the table, unless there is ticky tacky safety play. Mark Allen breaks both codes in this match, which is what led to Ronnie's reaction. We seen a similar situation in Anthony McGill V Jamie Clarke at World Championships. Personally I think Barry Hearn needs to bring these rules into play and bring in a point deduction for players in breach of this. Snooker can do without a third incident of this kind. Players give 100% concentration in every game, the last thing they need is to be distracted by an opponent. You wouldn't get it in golf or darts, so why should it be allowed in snooker.

[@asadashraf2128]

He was only in Ronnies eyeline when he was checking the shot from the oppsoite angle of where he was going to play the shot from. When getting down to play the shot, Mark Allen was behind him.

[@tonybarfridge4369]

Man Of Straw no, if nobody has potted anything it's acceptable to stand

[@jacklemonhead1.945]

Let me know when you re-write War and Peace.Again,we know what it's about.

[@GWizz1994]

I thought the ref was gonna cry at one point hahah

[@Alikhan-te9xn]

Funny guy 😂

[@barbadospooldevelopmentorg3026]

Marcel is a pansy, but a talented ref all in all haha

[@y2kazan868]

Marcel should have asked Allen to take a seat, period.

[@ronaldsnooker6597]

Absolutely right! Referee is at fault or he is blind period

[@JaspreetSingh-yg5nt]

@@ronaldsnooker6597 ronnie has had his differences with this ref before too...

[@c.c6934]

The ref is a wet fart!

[@JaspreetSingh-yg5nt]

@@c.c6934 lol.. ain't that the truth.

[@c.c6934]

@@JaspreetSingh-yg5nt too true☺☺

[@SnookerPlanet]

I agree with O'Sullivan here somewhat. Allen was standing in front his eye line, when he could have sat. But he should've told it to Allen or to the ref right away, not 10 minutes later. And also he shouldn't have make big incident out of this. What do you think?

[@hystericalwolf]

As I said above, both were wrong in this instance. Ronnie should've spoken out when he first felt Allen was in his eyeline, however, Allen should also have sat down. Ronnie as, we know, is a perfectionist and wants the best out of the game and therefore should've spoken out the first time, but should also not have made an incident out of it. Marcel Eckhardt however, had little control over the situation and I feel that he could've asserted himself better. Had Jan Verhaas or Brendan Moore been there, things might/could've been different.

[@darrelw6246]

Wise up ffs. I love Ronnie but in this occasion he was a grade a wanker spitting the dummy out he got outplayed and couldn't take it and thinks everyone in the snooker world is beneath him, yes he is the greatest player to ever lift a cue but his actions sometimes ruins him for me imo

[@TheUntitled100]

I think this pretty much sums it up. Ronnie should've spoken about it immediately but didn't, and then made a mountain out of a molehill and arguably lost the frame because of it. I'm also sure Mark is not the sort of person who would do anything like that deliberately.

[@TimeIsMoney2034]

I'm a great fan of Ronnie O'Sullivan but when he behaves this way it just ruins it for me. We don't get to see it here but we can only imagine there was tensions in previous frames. Personally I don't think Allen did anything wrong. Ronnie was venting frustration as he was being outclassed in this match. Also has the referee the right to just ask Allen to sit ??

[@danieladaniel2004]

I agree 100%. Childish demeanor.

[@arthurdavies1112]

Ronnie was right, however as the ref was an inadequate, as he should have called Mark out for his behaviour. A quick: “can you ask him to sit down please” might have solved the problem, That, as he later said ,goes back to the amateur days.

[@bentaye]

2 grown ups arguing is now bullying

[@JonnyParker-]

Welcome to the new world order . The common cold has also been rebranded as convid-19. Don't forget to get your bill gates/ Rockefeller vaccine after being tested with the 85+% false positive PCR phoney tests that are and I quote from doctors "not to be used as a diagnostic tool". The whole thing is sick . How many elderly folk been murdered by our governments at the start of this scam and they are gonna do it again this winter !!

[@mdub048]

there is nothing "grown up" about a petty argument. It started out politely enough and quickly became childish. On both sides.

[@bentaye]

@@mdub048 still wouldn't call that bullying. That's my point

[@shafiq1537]

@@JonnyParker- yes belive in that but this is snooker

[@pinchopaxtonsgreatestminds9591]

Ronnie went over to have a drink from his bottle, and then spat his dummy out... it's all grown up stuff!

[@lukeburner7920]

Ronnie 100% correct, he gave a few chances for Allen to correct himself without making a big deal, trying to be subtle. Which any high calibre player wouldve picked up on. 1st thing my old man taught me and my brother about playing pool is always respect the opponents shot and never distract. Stay out of eye-line, and if you happen to be in the eye-line whilst seated, stay still

[@godzillas6301]

Agreed . Many a time ive pretended to have a wank while someones on the black and in their eye line . Flicking out a bollock also is rather off putting . Its club/schollboy stuff . Im guessing having him in eye line is an annoyance . To then have him fidget with a sticker was the straw that broke etc . No-one comes out of this hwith clean hands .

[@VishwaNathGummaRaju]

In fact, Luke Burner, your dad is a thorough gentleman and his teachings are what everyone who plays this wonderful game, ought to practice. I have another observation. Many a time when I am playing snooker or billiards, when I happen to be in the range of sight of the player on the shot [more so when I am in the line of aim] and it is too late to move away, i make it a point to move just my eyes to look either to my right or left! I found this to be very effective in being non-invasive and not causing any interference. Conversely, when i play and any person walks across my line of sight or line of aim even without varying his gait, I am not disturbed in the least and can go through my shot as in the usual manner. Hoever, while I am on the shot, if the person even slows down or stops or worse if he stops and keeps looking at my shot; that's it, I get up from my shot and request him to carry on and then I again I get to my preshot routine on-ward. Excuse me if I have been too elaborate, but I tried to analyze in the light of the incident. Aye, I feel Ronnie O Sullivan was right; however when his subtle pointers did not work, he should have drawn the attention of the Referee in the correct order of things. This is a gentleman's game and any exchange between players should be avoided and the medium of any communication should be the Referee alone. Among the players, expecially amongst the top players, there should be bon-homie and camaraderie with no hard feelings [likes of Peter Ebdon's behaviour for instance excepted] Please correct me if I am wrong. VishG

[@8ballprowler799]

Absolutely spot on Luke. If ever I though I was in someone's eye line when playing pool. I made I was standing behind my opponent and completely out of the way. The ref in question is a bit of a prat anyhow.

[@HadToChangeMyName_YoutubeSucks]

Mark should have sat, Ronnie should have said something to the ref when it happened and not said something to Mark long after the event.

[@Packgammon]

Yes but as a player you don't like to look like a pussy, complaining about one minor incident. Then it happens again and again until you feel fully right to say something. The referee should've addressed Mark long before Ronnie did.

[@Jmomatias]

Better yet, he should’ve approached Mark and just lay it out simple and politely. Easy.

[@Jmomatias]

@@Packgammon he should’ve. But if neither he nor anybody else behind him thought too much of it, then it wasn’t that wrong. Its a personal thing, one that its easy enough to respect, if one was aware.

[@Packgammon]

@@Jmomatias It seems you've never played any cue sport seriously. Standing and especially moving in the opponent's eye line is a clear breach of the rules. The audience pays an entry fee to watch a snooker match but neither have to focus nor to judge a particular situation and even shall not intervene. Ronnie acted in the smartest way as he knew that he couldn't count on getting justice from an asleep referee and he also knew that Mark would deny / downplay the allegations. Ronnie was understandably pumped up and mad as hell about Marks repeated brashness. So he dealt it back by ridiculing Mark.

[@ian8745]

@@Packgammon Ronnie acted like a tit because he was getting beat like he has done many times before. mark was doing nothing wrong standing up by his seat for a safety shot knowing he'd be back at the table shortly. Players have always done this. Luckily the only person he put off with nonsence was himself. Didn't get pumped up just got pumped!

[@LegendSpecialist]

Allen moves.... That sure

[@jayeshpatel7045]

Having now seen the incident, Allen is standing in O'Sullivans eyeline and fidgeting around with his cue, and just fiddling around in other moments. The effect of this is amplified because there is no crowd. But in the end, Allen won because he played brilliant snooker.

[@joandar1]

Jayesh Patel, it seems to me that Ronnie was behind well and truly in this match at this point and was frustrated. Ronnie can only blame himself for missing the red when there was only the camera nearby and the rest is history, He needed to blame another for his own poor game up to the point when he chose to be the type of person he really is. I respect his ability very much, however I think less of him as he takes the Piss out of other players that are doing their best. Just my thoughts, John, Australia.

[@Packgammon]

@@joandar1 Your comment is idiotic. That's why you have zero likes.

[@joandar1]

@@Packgammon Thank you very much for your enlightening comment. John, Australia.

[@Packgammon]

@@joandar1 In boxing you can move in your opponent's eye line all you want. In cue sports that's a breach of the rules and everybody who has more experience than a noob knows that. Your thoughts are plain wrong.

[@joandar1]

@@Packgammon As you say my thoughts are wrong, I guess that means you are ENTIRELY CORRECT and no others are allowed to have an Opinion. you must vote left wing for as long as you can until you get what you ask for and that is no individual thoughts according to Karl!

[@jonathancox9501]

At the very beginning of this filming.....mark was standing there all the time...why didnt he sit back in his seat and wait for his shot?.....I think Thomas has a point below but i would have asked mark to sit down please...right at the start......i played a tournament once and my opponent liked to chalk his cue whilst i was down on my shot.....he was doing every shot and it pissed me off....so i asked him not to do it...he didnt see anything wrong with it but it was gamesmanship......i played a guy in darts(another sport i play) and the prick like to click his darts whilst i am throwing....i turned around and said "Can you not do that on my shot please?"...he said it was just a habit ...i told him "its a bad habit and you should stop it"......Ronny should have spoken up politely ...so the ref hear......Ref would have backed him up ...can you please sit down whilst i am at my table?...........thats what all the other players do.......Ronny let the irritation build...should have spoken to the ref and mark at the same time.

[@enricgrau]

Those were pretty hard shots that most likely wouldn't get Ronnie a second shot. It is normal practice, in pool and snooker, to wait standing up instead of sitting and stand-up back again 2 seconds later. Ronnie is just s snowflake.

[@edysidek6843]

Mark is to fat... that's why...🤣🤣🤣

[@mbal4052]

Doesn't take much to put you off lad,ni shoot at international level and have represented my country for many years..if you let these small things get to you then you have lost. The winners ignore them and make the shot to win 😉

[@Elmo9001]

5:22 Heart thumping, palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy, snooker on the table already, mom's spaghetti.

[@MrKaolphe]

Allen’s spaghetti 😂

[@serdaragirbas7487]

Ronnie drop's bombs, but he keeps on forgetting 😂

[@hjwonghj]

147 mile

[@annagreen8263]

you won the award for the most entertaining comment of the day

[@1stclassgamer951]

I thought the same thing lol

[@mightyOmouse]

I don't care who's right or wrong... finally something happening :D

[@AdamDylanFoley]

lol

[@1001001a]

LOL

[@islamictube4831]

Lol

[@j111dja12]

Well said.

[@louisbala2791]

Are those Tina Turner lyrics. 'I don't care who's wrong or right I don't really wanna fight Nooo more' 🤣

[@klixtrio7760]

Mark should have sat down, especially when he was standing in eye line. I find it extremely distracting when people stand close to my when it’s my turn.

[@godzillas6301]

In the club standing behind and saying nice arse , can i have a touch ? also tends to have the same effect

[@thepianocornertpc]

Ronnie doesn't like this referee. he had arguments with him before.

[@bobbyknox9258]

Allen knew exactly what he was doing. 🤣 refs a plum

[@mbucd]

Also very smug and arrogant in his interview after.

[@1Three8Fiver]

@@mbucd Ronnie has had a run in with him before now, I'm not his number one fan in fact I find much to dislike about him but he was right here.

[@ahoy96]

Mark didn't do anything

[@bobbyknox9258]

@@ahoy96 your a plum to then if you don't think he did anything wrong

[@ahoy96]

@@bobbyknox9258 not a plum it's called not licking Ronnie's arse

[@shaqeelshabir8945]

Mark does stand in the eyeline and move about messing wth his loga badge: professionals should know better respect ur opponent and the game

[@jamesfitzsimons5335]

Mark Allan had a problem with Mark Joyce doing the same thing to him a few years back. I believe he knew exactly what he was doing.

[@steveperry8949]

Agree

[@ronaldsnooker6597]

Agreed!

[@scotthamilton2005]

Agreed

[@areyoustupid.....]

So what. Ronnie messes with players all time in all manor of ways. What goes around comes around. Best player ever. Still one of the biggest twats in sport

[@hazaar_1322]

It's just the way he goes about calling him out on it, all he has to say is 'Please stay still', that raises the issue and Mark can make of it what he will. He doesn't have to go on and try to prove that he is moving

[@ehmermughal4672]

Despite a fan, he' has done a real good job here , he argued for some reasons , definitely it causes distraction to snooker while playing , so he argued on being right

[@benrichards399]

Ronnie clearly has a point, mark was fidgiting on the spot while Ronnie was down on the shot. he should have called it out when he was standing there though imo. Ref had no business saying he did nothing wrong, as he wasn't watching Allen.

[@sltga1254]

Agreed. The ref should have stayed neutral instead of commenting what he did. He's a great ref though, I just don't agree with how he tried to handle the situation.

[@butters_]

Absolutely, Allen was standing most of the shots as if they were casually down the club like Ronnie said. The ref was way off too with that statement I’m sure if the ref watched the last frame he’d change his mind immediately.

[@alim.4409]

Your are playing the role of media . Trying to justify his loss

[@butters_]

@@alim.4409 no not really, mark allen played better and deserved the win. This is snooker at the highest of level. You cannot fidget and move on the shot. It’s called respect and good etiquette. No player will move at the shot if you’re a snooker fan you will know this. Except Mark Allen did and only Ronnie has the balls to pull him up. Ronnie was in the right here and if anyone says otherwise then they are quite frankly ignorant and blind.

[@butters_]

@crunch wobbly wanderers explain how he was wrong please ?

[@hyperquantum3020]

That was so funny to watch live

[@shanedavies1977]

Referee was like a supply teacher when he was trying to get them to stop

[@simontunnicliffe2107]

Yeah he was what you call, "a wet lettuce" lol!

[@HACKERHITMARKER333]

can we just place snooker please

[@self-preservationsociety7057]

@@HACKERHITMARKER333 “ can we just play snooowker please “

[@lebryanthoward9416]

Allen was clearly moving, but Ronnie should have called him out then, not afterwards.

[@PJBonoVox]

Had to come a long way down the comments to find this. Call it out at the time, don't whine like a big baby.

[@seanscanlon9067]

Ronnie did pull him up at the time but there was more than one issue with Mark. He pulled him up on it at the time when he deemed enough was enough because it was not just about Mark moving in his eyelid when stood up, he was doing it when sat down too and fiddling with the logo on his waistcoat while in Ronnie's eyeline and so that's when he finally had words with him. If Mark played a shot from the top/black spot end of the table without potting but left it safe and knew Ronnie could not pot on his next shot, then fair enough if Mark did not want to walk back to his seat when knowing he would be straight back in again to play his shot, but then stand behind Ronnie at the top end of the table. You don't stand up at the baulk end in the eyeline of your opponent when he is at the top end and playing a shot towards the baulk end. If you have walked back to the baulk end after playing your shot, you might just as well sit down anyway. I am not suggesting Mark did anything wrong deliberately (although maybe Ronnie thinks so) but he (Mark) was still in the wrong regardless.

[@PJBonoVox]

@@seanscanlon9067 Not buying it. If you go to take your shot and your opponent is moving around you get up off the shot and refuse to play it till the referee addresses it. Yes, Mark should have acted differently and I agree there but what is the ref supposed to do? Retrospectively replay the shot? Ronnie had a bad day and was looking for a scapegoat.

[@seanscanlon9067]

@@PJBonoVox Ronnie does get up off the shot though, did you not see him do so and go back to his seat and laugh to himself out of exasperation as he takes a drink after Mark was fiddling with his logo? He also got up off the shot during the match too, in order to force Mark to take a seat and get the hint when he was standing up. The referee is following the player at the table and the table itself so is not aware of the issue and even tells Mark that he knows he has done nothing wrong. The referee is not supposed to do anything because he was oblivious to what was going on, which is why Ronnie spoke to Mark and it is more a case of what Mark is meant to do from then on, which is take a seat when not at the table and stop moving around in his seat when shots are being played.

[@PJBonoVox]

@@seanscanlon9067 Still don't see it. He did get up off his shot, but he should have dealt with it there and then, not gone back to his seat and laughed sarcastically. Bring it to the referee's attention there and then.

[@NocturnalShape]

Allen totally deserved his victory but was in the wrong on that one.

[@21mironescu]

Was too, he was moving!

[@coookie2009]

In fact Ronnie's point should've been scrutinised and Mark Allen should've been penalised if proven guilty. Where's the justice here?? Ronnie is damn right.

[@daveholt35]

I'd hardly say it was bullying 😂😂😂

[@GaryMcCaffrey]

Gamesmanship from Mark, no doubt in my mind, and it continued in the interview afterwards, 'whenever he missed that easy red' was obviously a dig. Haha.

[@mrsnookerhd]

I think Mark was at Fault

[@redkingoldhero38]

at fault for what? ronnie acting like a child? sure he was moving and standing up but ronnie never said anything to the ref or mark until he felt like making a scene, did you miss his smirk while drinking water? taking 2 mins on easy safeties as 'retaliation' is so hypocritical when 2 months ago he's complaining about selby's slow play at the WC. ronnie needs to handle himself better he isn't 22 anymore

[@Dillionthevillian]

@@redkingoldhero38 You can clearly see he moving and playing with his clothes

[@redkingoldhero38]

@@Dillionthevillian yeah i said he was, try reading my comment again.

[@jimmypropnex]

If you are at that level.. you don’t need others to tell, should have mutual respect

[@jamesadcock5235]

There was movement definitely

[@grey-friar]

Whenever Ronnie is arguing Marcel Eckardt seems involved in some way. LOL

[@RB-tm6ui]

In the first shot at 1:30 Allen is moving around when Ronnie is walking around the table ,then he stops moving as Ronnie approaches his shot. In both instances Ronnie is not on a pot, you often see in tactical battles both players standing around the table as the opponent plays there shot, then sit down once opponent is in. The last miss by Ronnie mark was not in his eye line. From that vid I could not see a direct line of Allen moving when Ronnie was playing a shot.

[@tonysplattery]

He'd already affected Ronnie at that point. I think Ronnie had just been letting it go, knowing that it would only negatively affect his own game but the damage had been done. Mark was just constantly fiddling about or fidgeting, either in Ronnie's eyeline or his peripheral vision (and that's probably more of a distraction) - he was still doing it when Ronnie spoke to him.

[@davemann79]

Ronnie is right here. Allen wasn’t showing basic snooker etiquette, this is not pool. It’s one thing if he was standing in those spots when behind Ronnie, but you shouldn’t be standing there when your opponent is facing you

[@Packgammon]

Obviously you don't know basic pool etiquette.

[@comometalworks]

Wiggling around in a player's sight line is bad form. 5-3 up or not, when it ain't your shot put your arse in the chair and keep still.

[@darrenrice7225]

Mark was noticeably standing in front of shots throughout the match. I noticed this quite early on as in a previous match with Wilson vs....? the commentator passed remarks on Wilson's sportsmanship by sitting down during tactical battles. Mark allen was in breach of snookers rules both by standing and by pulling at his shirt logo. Ronnie was absolutely right to mention this in his first polite but concered manner. It was Allen's rude and unsporting response that escalated the altercation. Had Allen rightly apologised for and offence we wouldn't have had this great drama which keeps snooker so exciting. KEEP IT UP :) PS Great interview in response from Ronnie, with his global insight we can clearly see this man is truly switched on. Watch the full interview, not this bisas edited version.

[@cameronhughes5897]

I honestly hope there is more of this to come in the future ffs please love a good scrap😂

[@RLJIM]

Thanks for this cut, exactly what I was looking for, great edit of the issue. Mark Allen knew what he was doing for sure, can't stand him.

[@jamesbrennan7355]

So the referee needs to wear a mask but the players don’t.. corona rules make absolutely zero sense

[@Almosteverything143]

There is no corona near the Table

[@standstillphil]

Ref might choose to wear it

[@menghao1997]

In my opinion, Ronnie probably didn’t tell Mark or the ref since the beginning because he probably thinks that it might be unintentional, however Mark keeps doing it, so, believing in Mark’s professionalism, Ronnie tries to send him a ‘message’ by waiting and playing a 2min-long pot, but Mark didn’t seem to get it, and therefore continues fidgeting, and eventually Ronnie cannot take it anymore, and had to tell Mark. I believe Ronnie was just telling Mark to stay still (with a smile) to begin with, however Mark refused to admit it, and thats what upsets Ronnie, and therefore made a scene.

[@Dima-jc7fx]

Spot on mate, every word of it. Basically it's the same situation as with McGill/Clarke and definitely Ronnie and Anthony were right. Everybody who says otherwise clearly haven't played snooker enough or don't understand it properly.

[@charlierobert3571]

You say it as you and I see it , its obvious mark was trying something

[@charlierobert3571]

@@Dima-jc7fx I couldn't have put it better

[@oldschool.hustle]

You said it all. Allen is a remarkable player but here he seemed a bit unprofessional.

[@colinhigginson4765]

In the earlier shots Mark stayed stood up because it was a simple safety so no point in sitting down. Players used to always stay standing in a safety battle. Ronnie just being a sore loser here. Forgets about his antics - towel on face etc.

[@kenrodewalt5679]

I'm not sure Allen's movements were intentional, he's obviously an incredibly talented player in his own right. I've always been a big fan of the "Goat", but he seemed off his game in the match and when things aren't going your way, little annoyances are more distracting.

[@georgehardy-jones6739]

Yeh I gathered that

[@oscarrowley9504]

Ken it doesn’t matter if it was intentional, it happened and he denied it, it’s called cheating,

[@kenrodewalt5679]

Anybody that thinks Ronnie was in top form in that match, is sadly mistaken. And as it turns out, Mr. O Sullivan actually apologized to Allen for Overreacting.

[@Bungwirez]

This was a hockey fight. Fans love hockey fights. Snooker needs more hockey fights.

[@RobbieBeswick]

like hitting each other with cues lmao

[@josepherhardt164]

Is there a high-sticking penalty in snooker? :)

[@themechanic9398]

I'm with Ronnie on this one.

[@sonnyreddevil69]

You woman

[@SteS]

It's in black and white in the rulebook. Noticed this while it was live. Plenty of other places to stand fidgeting. Here's the rule # and the rule. *Section 4* *_5. Non-striker._* _The non-striker shall, when the striker is playing, avoid standing or moving in the line of sight of the striker. They shall sit or stand at a reasonable distance from the table and avoid making any movement or action that may interrupt the concentration of the striker._

[@manosperpirakis5488]

Ronnie o sulivan as an old experienced player has done this in the past many times... Sleeping, standing up with no reason, hiding his head with tower, etc...in that case he probably is right and because he was losing the game he was forstrated...on the other alen seems to move sometimes but not on porpose unless he is so smart that he managed to distruct his opponent

[@EgoChip]

Yeah, Mark could have conducted himself more professionally but Ronnie has done far worse, and gets away with murder. He has a free pass because he brings the crowds in. Well, he would do if crowds were allowed anywhere now.

[@idontknowyou876]

Spot on ronnie is a spoilt brat

[@ballabadr3572]

When snooker player go arround the table or go to his sit when he have to play a direct and easy shot, it must be a warning for the opponent or someone near the table who is disturbing him, it's the professional way to say professionaly to someone to keep still. Then it's a warning also for the referee to look arround and trying to fix it, because for a professional snooker player to speak to someone about this is disturbing and deconcentrating. I see Mark Allen was wrong and the referee wrong too. Ronnie was upset after trying several times to tell them that must be stopped! Normaly when the opponent is standing in the line of the player, the referee must tell him to have a sit..

[@johnlau2200]

Yes very true, the referee should advise Mark to sit while waiting for his turn. Not professional at all.

[@remihleihel]

whats up with the ending ? frame just freezes on ronnie swallowing air for 3-4 times continuously

[@taak78able]

Exactly??? What's happening there lol

[@weltz00]

After watching the footage cant deny that Allen did indeed get in Sullivans eye line on multiple occasions. Honestly though, Allen shouldve known better. His no amateur. Nevertheless, cant deny that its partially Sullivans fault in not informing the referee of Allens behaviour when it happened and instead decided to confront Allen himself.

[@ABOBUTTY]

Mark was moving a lot at Rony Eyes which it shouldn’t from a pro snooker Player .. and he knows what was Rony Talking about .. It’s so sally from a such a good player such as Mark .

[@SirCharles913]

I agree with Ronnie actually now I've seen the reply. Mark is moving a lot. The referee should have just listened and not said anything, snooker players should be allowed to discuss something with their opponent if they are not happy!

[@barrydduggan]

Absolutely not, the referee was right to step in, Ronnie of course showed no respect and kept moaning.

[@SirCharles913]

@@barrydduggan What has respect got to do with it? Ronnie is entitled to say if he feels uncomfortable. I would feel the need to say something if I felt someone was disrupting my game. As regards to the ref he should have listened and taken it on board. They are pros and would know when to stop

[@JamesBlain-wb8zv]

I've seen Ronnie O'Sullivan argue before but never like that

[@darrelw6246]

He has done it with ali Carter mate aswell

[@MissSayuriYamane]

i thought they was going to fight when ronnie walk towards.

[@X22GJP]

I’m sure Ronnie won’t have been in a good “frame” of mine with being behind, but Mark shouldn’t have been stood up leaning on his cue and shifting his weigh from leg to leg. It’s not a local snooker club, there are chairs provided for a reason. Mark was in the wrong, period, but we all know Ronnie likes to speak up now and again!

[@Novakdjokovic517]

Stfu

[@grumpygrandad1216]

Yh in Ronnies defence he was moving around a lot

[@trollsymctroll5361]

The video shows who is right. Well done

[@00BillyTorontoBill]

it shows Ronnie saying nothing.

[@Xacha77]

Ronnie O'sullivan eres adorable. Un bello genio. Enhorabuena 👏 felicitaciones 👏

[@choibao3663]

If you are professional you know ronnie was right

[@Zombies8MyPizza]

Allen 100% was moving in his eyeline and standing much further away from his chair than is necessary. Most likely didn't do it on purpose though and, that said, Ronnie handled it really, really poorly.

[@rcchronicles25]

Yeah this. I agree with all of it

[@Zombies8MyPizza]

@T 2017 The idea is to mention it while it's happening in a calm manner. Not wait several frames and then implode. He made himself look at tit when Allen was initially all in the wrong.

[@monman8183]

A flustered genius. Natural, slightly on edge movement by Allen I thought.

[@cabeltran31]

Incredible

[@PBayee34]

Mark Allen's turning into a modern day Bill Werbeniuk.

[@johnhiller5337]

Nine pints...

[@dmar1904]

Better player tbh than Bill Werberniuk!!

[@andrzejpogorzelski4261]

I enjoy both players, but in this situation Mark should sit at his place. Never mind that Ronnie's behavior was sometimes inappropriate before, but in this particular case, Ronnie is right

[@Jmomatias]

He is and he is not. Same as mark.

[@hatisuffisuffi3977]

Steady Alen. Keep it up.

[@GradyPhilpott]

This reminds me of the Sean Rash and Jason Belmonte dust up a few years back in the PBA. I admire snooker quite a lot because the players are so gentlemanly, which I think is something that does not exist in American sports, at least not anymore, but there comes a time when a man has to speak up for himself and that's what Ronnie did. I do agree with others here that he should have consulted the ref first.

[@wilkywilky7814]

I’ve been in similar situation when your playing well nothing will put you off,but when you lose focus and not playing so well everything can irritate you the slightest sound someone in your eye line plus struggling in the game can all get very frustrating, I don’t think Mark Allen was doing anything deliberate, Everything was just getting to Ronnie, its fascinating to me to see the professionals get effective the same way it affects me and I’m just an average Friday night player, but I can relate to this situation so well

[@raywhelan6743]

O'Sullivan did have a case ... however Allen doesn't do this deliberately, it's something that he's not full aware of ... but he is now ...

[@melin1969]

he would if 640k people tag him on this LOL

[@johmbill3665]

6 TO 3 YES.

[@SharaxHaxxan]

Anyone who plays snooker in as silent ambiance, knows the significance of that sound to put their opponent off their concentration when player is already trying real hard to concentrate (Allan scratching his Logo/waistcoat) if any player is winning these motions doesn't affect them, but Trust me They really GET YOU WHEN YOU LOSING....

[@santiagoospina9833]

es triste ser un fan de ronnie (the rocket) pero no poder entender lo que dice, pues soy Colombiano, y no hablo ingles, desde hace tiempo me gusta y atrae el snooker pero no puedo practicarlo por falta de materiales y todo, solo espero algún día poder jugar snokker de verdad y conocer a uno de mis ídolos (ronnie o´sullivan)

[@markt381]

One of the first things you learn in snooker is etiquette. It is a gentleman's game, It doesn't matter where you play. In a high end club or down the local community center the rules and regulations stand along with etiquette and fair play. This was not what happened in this match. Sorry Mark no matter what you say you knew exactly what you was doing and any player of the game at any level knows that.

[@billypribbo9668]

Another side of etiquette is that you defer to the referee. I happen to agree that Mark Allen was in his eye-line, but at that point you ask the ref to intervene, you don't start having a go at the other player and ignoring the ref's direct instruction to stop. Allen might have messed up but it's Ronnie who owed the apology for this.

[@gbp8907]

where’s the “bullying” in all this?

[@sassylemoncake3614]

Similar to the Clarke McGill incident, I agree with the accuser, the person playing the shot has right of way and the other should be in the chair, out of sight. However, the heated confrontation was never needed in either situations and probably should've been dealt with asap.

[@jimmeade2976]

I guess I don't understand why the greatest player snooker has ever seen can't pot balls unless there are absolutely no distractions. Mark Allen knew how to get under Ronnie's skin, and it paid off.

[@theosid5099]

a pro snooker player knows he should not stand in someones eyeline nor pull on his shirt badge...

[@user-hk5se8rd3y]

Yes ecacly

[@iulianparvu8797]

I play billiards and I always get in behind or side of the opponent whenever he’s taking his shot. I like both of them but Ronnie is right about this one. You can see Mark clearly doing exactly what Ronnie is accusing him of.

[@steveperry8949]

Thanks for this footage. There are posts that don't show why Ronnie had a beef with Mark here whereas this one displays the legitimacy of Ronnie's claim. Ronnie didn't protest earlier as he decided to give Mark the benefit of the doubt to begin with but then felt that enough was enough. Perhaps 20 years ago it would be fair to assume that Ronnie was playing the volatile divo, but these days it's a rare occurance for him to be so outspoken. The correct etiquette is to take your seat while your opponent is at the table and to remain still if you are in their eyeline.

[@duncanbirss8923]

Should be good on Friday , love a bit of needle between players

[@AKKS_Gaming]

Ronnie is absolutely correct. Mark Allen acted as an ameture. He lowered his standard of sportsmanship. At least on this day he (Mark Allen) was a shame on a great game like this.

[@dmar1904]

Ballacks you muppet....

[@AKKS_Gaming]

Same to you bro

[@catstevens5890]

Mark was clearly moving in his eye line no doubt the referee was a weak damp cloth and sided with mark. Ronnie has had run ins with this referee before about his weak authority in a match.

[@00BillyTorontoBill]

so now explain why ronnie lost so badly? lol

[@gaxin3747]

Sure its marks foult

[@ronaldsnooker6597]

@@gaxin3747 agreed!!!

[@petrutsebastian830]

The first one

[@tomnoddy420]

It's like golf, especially putting. You don't stand in the site line and be still when the other is shooting.

[@ju.snooker]

Alex higgins was the people’s champion and snookers first maverick. Yet he head butted officials and threatened players when he lost. But we remember how he entertained entertained millions. Enjoy Ronnie’s talent and his antics while he’s still playing as the day he retires will be a sad day for snooker.

[@patrickmorris3260]

Considering Ronnie is a perfectionist in the game he plays and when he’s in his bubble he can’t be stopped but stuff like that what Mark Allen done would put even a below average player off and they wouldn’t say anything considering that he is playing at the highest level for 30+ years I think he knows what he is on about and to be completely honest if It was me in his shoes too I would be completely pissed off aswell I think Ronnie was 100% correct

[@SpencerDonahue]

Mark forgetting that there are cameras to see the replay. It's embarrassing to watch.

[@infernogamers168]

Ronnie bringing spotlight to snooker again

[@sovegjartogabor4369]

He was angry with his game and attacked Allen. He made show. Normally when a player feels that the another player disturbs him, ask him politely to move away. Ok, Allen made a mistake when he stayed near the table, but Ronnie made the circus.

[@MrToftheL]

Ronnie is such a precious diva. You only have to observe the way he treats his fans to see how self centred he is.

[@ryearl764]

But was he wrong?

[@tedvicarri6153]

Telling them to stop arguing is hardly refereeing......The ref should have told Allen to sit down....full 🛑 stop.

[@kaichilee2495]

ronnie actually did the smae thing several times vs selby in the WSC semi final, but selby didn't stop the game to argue.

[@redkingoldhero38]

If ronnie is correct then he should never complain about the likes of selby or ebdon again, taking 2 minutes on easy safeties because your opponent is standing without telling him or the ref is a baby move.

[@Kowinaida]

In the wild you rarely see a Leprechaun sitting.

[@NoodlesTBograt]

The guy was moving on the shot when Ronnie spoke to him

[@michaelmilsom9518]

I've never seen another player standing during another's shot or do anything other than sit quietly in their seat.

[@00BillyTorontoBill]

Seems like Ronnie was on his face in the match and tried to get inside Allens head for his most likely final break. Thats why he never said anything before...lol

[@Dillionthevillian]

Yar he should show respect sit still

[@rafaelapguedesraul5906]

Tinha q ter tradução ou legenda !!!

[@genghisk4808]

Allen giving him "thumbs up" , cracks me up. Any player can be hustled if you let it happen. Ignore it and play play!

[@slappyrascal123]

Listen you can move as much as you want while a player is moving around the table. Mark was still while Ronnie was actually down on the shot. Ronnies gotta grow up. His immaturity just keeps showing. I'm a Ronnie fan but lord there are better ways of losing than that

[@AJediSurvivor]

You must need your eyes testing. Mark was pissing about with his cue and stood in front of Ronnie while he was taking his shot.

[@andytsoi1465]

Dude how is this bullying? Both players had a disagreement and Ronnie had a point, simple.

[@sevendaughters]

Allan claimed it was Ronnie using his relative size (in the game) against him

[@himayathalimailme4702]

I think in this case it's Mark's fault because Ronnie had tried to give several indirect messages to Mark but he did not catch them, and i think it would be great if Ronnie would have said something to the ref when it happened and to Mark right when Mark was standing in front of his eyeline but Ronnie used the other route by telling him politely which is not rude or bad. And i think since Mark was denying the fact than Ronnie took more time to explain him about what's going on here and that slightly turned into an Argument. Mark thought that Ronnie is trying to bully him and misunderstood Ronnie. Ronnie is the Best and the Honest Player. Ronnie is a senior player and has done a lot for this game, he is the reason i watch and play snooker, According to me Ronnie deserves some respect from everyone involved in this game rather than argument.

[@sdrtcacgnrjrc]

I watched two minutes --- if Ronnie has a problem he's got to say it straight away, not minutes later when the other player has no clue what he's on about. FWIW, I'm not saying it's an easy thing to do.