World Snooker has leapt to referee Marcel Eckardt’s defence after he oversaw the longest frame in the sport’s history.
The first session of Wu Yize and Mark Allen’s World Snooker Championship semi-final was overshadowed by a frame that lasted a staggering 100 minutes.
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Those inside the Crucible were lucky if they didn’t fall asleep during Friday’s evening sessionCredit: GettyWhy did a frame between Allen and Yize last 100 minutes?
Controversy ensued due to eight red balls covering the black in a corner pocket, which led to both players taking 75 safety shots.
Such was the nature of the snoozefest, the game was removed from BBC Two’s live coverage.
Unsurprisingly the crowd in the Crucible grew restless, with referee Eckardt under pressure to restart the frame.
World Snooker defends Eckardt
However, the German official held firm, with the frame coming to an end when Allen potted the black.
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World Snooker insisted ‘the rule was applied correctly’ by Eckardt, per the Mirror, despite the frustrations from the patrons and the wider snooker community.
The organisation’s stance wasn’t a popular one though, given the furious reaction of snooker pundits across the board as they watched the action, or lack of, unfold in real time.
Snooker world condemns Eckardt’s decision
“It is the most torturous frame I think we have seen at the Crucible,” BBC host Hazel Irvine said.
“We are imprisoned by frame 14.”
Irvine added: “This is absolutely going nowhere. Never seen anything like it. From the sublime to the ridiculous.”
Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry, who firmly believed Eckardt should have intervened earlier, was equally ruthless in his verdict.
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Eckardt wasn’t winning himself many fans on Friday eveningCredit: Getty
When can the referee call for a re-rack?
Per snooker’s rules, the referee can call for a re-rack if:
The referee thinks a position of stalemate exists, or is being approached, or is indicated by both players, the referee shall offer the players the immediate option of re-starting the frameIf any player objects, the referee shall allow play to continue with the proviso that the situation must change within a stated period, usually after three more strokes to each side but at the referee’s discretionIf the situation remains basically unchanged after the stated period has expired, the referee shall nullify all scores and reset all balls as for the start of a frame
“The referee’s got to get involved here, in my opinion,” Hendry said on BBC Two.
“This is the dark side of snooker.
“It’s been a horrendous frame but it’s helped Wu Yize so much.
“He didn’t look like winning another frame, but the ludicrous nature of this has just helped to lighten the load on him and free him up, forget what was happening to him in this session.”
Snooker icon Steve Davis added: “In a nutshell that frame is an embarrassment to snooker, and the referees’ and the players’ association need to try to work out a way so that never happens again.”
It was Yize who ultimately prevailed over Allen, winning 17-16.
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Yize’s win booked him a spot in the World Snooker Championship final, where he will face Shaun Murphy.
The final will get underway on Sunday at 1pm.