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JIMMY WHITE’S snooker comeback was overshadowed by a controversial call from the referee.
The sporting icon, 62, returned to action in Belfast – a whopping 43 years after winning an invitational event in the city way back in 1981.
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But his 4-2 victory over Hossein Vafaei at the Northern Ireland Open had a huge moment of drama in what turned out to be the final frame.
Vafaei led 65-57 in the sixth frame and had the cue ball in hand.
However, when he played his shot and potted a red, the referee called “foul” then added: “Jimmy White, four.”
Kevin Dabrowski then told Vafaei that he had placed the white ball narrowly outside the D – with the line of the D needing to cover half the ball to be valid.
The Iranian looked totally bamboozled as commentator Neal Foulds declared: “I’ve never seen that before.”
Foulds added: “I can’t tell. I can’t tell. I’m not going to say either way.
“I don’t think it’s very obvious one way or another.”
Dabrowski explained: “It wasn’t in the D, it was outside of the D, I’m absolutely certain Hossein.”
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Vafaei wanted to see a replay of the incident while the referee told White what was happening.
Dabrowski added: “In my opinion, it wasn’t in the D. I’m 100 per cent certain.”
“Would you like to take a look? It’s very obvious. You can see. It’s outside the D.”
He then announced a free ball but play was halted as the referee and the two players peered into a table-side camera to look back at the freeze frame.
Even White was initially unconvinced while Vafaei claimed the ball was on the yellow spot.
But Dabrowski refuted the claim and reiterated he was “100 per cent sure”.
White then continued the frame with a free shot and potted the brown before running away to bring up an unassailable lead and secure victory.
Dave Hendon concluded on commentary: “The referee’s decision is final. He was there.
“We’re looking at it on an overhead so I’m not going to say he was wrong. It would be unfair to do that and he gave it in good faith.”
Fans chipped in with their views on the contentious moment – although Eurosport put a replay out on social media with the crucial part cropped out.
One commented: “One of the most outrageous decisions I’ve ever seen made in snooker.”
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Another wrote: “Looks very debatable but the ref did have a great view, I tell you something it’s quite refreshing to see a referee have the b***s to make a big call like that, don’t normally see it.”
A third typed: “Poor decision, respect to. Vafaei for not kicking off and remaining calm.”
A fourth responded: “Looks a great call to be fair.”
A fifth said: “Very poor moment for the sport.”
And a final user replied: “100 per cent out of the D and makes contact with the cue ball outside of the D. Correct and well-spotted decision by the ref.”
Speaking following his momentous win, White admitted it was a “nightmare” situation.
The six-time World Championship runner-up said: “When we looked at it on the camera it was close, but I remember that happened to me in The Masters once.
“Then you’ve got a few people in the crowd who got a bit excited, but he did well. But yeah, there it looks slightly out.
“He was adamant, the referee. He had a bit of a nightmare today with the match, didn’t he?”
Elsewhere in the chaotic contest, Dabrowski had to retrieve White’s chalk and permitted the veteran to go for a mid-frame toilet break.
And Vafaei even scored one of the rare fluke shots in the opening frame as the ball rolled along the top of the cushion before dropping into the pocket.
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The rules of snooker
THE aim of snooker is to clear the table of all balls – and achieving it in an incredible 147 break is the ultimate goal.
The rectangular table features green baize, a baulk line and semi-circle, known as the D.
It has six pockets, four in each corner and two midway down both long sides.
There are 15 red balls which are arranged in a triangular shape.
There are also six colour balls, and the white cue ball.
Each colour sits on its own designated spot at the start of the game.
While red balls are worth one point when potted, the colours all have a different value.
In ascending order these are:
- Yellow – two points
- Green – three points
- Brown – four points
- Blue – five points
- Pink – six points
- Black – seven points
The first player will cue off and must hit at least one of the red balls in the triangle.
If they pot a red, they can then continue by potting a colour.
However, if no red is potted then their opponent will play the next shot – going for a red first.
Each player must first pot a red ball when it’s their turn to play. If nothing is pocketed it is the other player’s turn at the table.
After each red is potted they must then follow with a colour, then a red, then a colour, and so on.
Whilst there are still red balls on the table, the potted colour balls are returned to their designated spot.
Once all the red balls are pocketed, the player at the table must pot the colours in the order as outlined above.
If they miss then their opponent will have the opportunity to clear the table.
A 147 is a maximum break when all reds are potted by one player in one stint at the table.
In order to achieve 147, the player must pot all 15 reds with 15 blacks for 120 points.
They must then clear all the colours, concluding with the black for 27 points.
During play the rules state that the cue must only touch the white cue ball.
The cue ball also must hit the correct colour ball – reds or colours in order.
If it hits the incorrect colour then a foul is called.
If the cue ball fails to hit any ball or is pocketed it is also a foul.
The player’s turn at the table ends if they play a foul shot.
Players are also penalised if they touch any ball on the table with their person.
