Sheffield: Ronnie O’Sullivan said some judges “took me” after his bid for a record eighth world snooker title was beaten by Stuart Bingham in the quarter-finals.
Bingham, the 2015 champion, is 13-10 and will face Welsh qualifier Jacques Jones for a place in the final.
Jones stunned former champion Judd Trump 13-9 in the quarterfinals.
Bingham pulled away from O’Sullivan more and more furious as he pulled away in the final three frames to claim the famous victory.
But his victory was overshadowed by a strange incident involving O’Sullivan and referee Desislava Bojilova in the 12th frame.
O’Sullivan was praised for his sportsmanship, appearing to play it safe instead of choosing red instead of black because he initially believed he had not been found black.
14 points back and 20 adrift of the world No.
However, O’Sullivan attacked the officials.
“Honestly, some of the refs, I think they explained it to me, so I wanted to prove him wrong,” he told Eurosport.
“I don’t feel like dropping the ball after that, but I just want to make a point. It’s done. I’m not hungry to get it like that, so I can sleep after the principle is established. at night.”
O’Sullivan then told Bozhilow “goodbye” after the incident as he asked some spectators to continue playing while he waited for them to reclaim their seats on the court.
When asked about the aftermath, O’Sullivan tried to calm the storm.
“I will not comment on the players or the referee, it is not worth it.”
“I won’t talk about things like that. I won’t comment on the players and I won’t comment on the referee. I just leave it as it is. I don’t need a problem.”
David Gilbert beat Stephen Maguire 13-8 to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2019.
Gilbert will take on Kyren Wilson after the 12th seed beat four-time champion John Higgins 13-8.
Gilbert’s victory means the tournament has reached the semi-finals for the first time since its first year at Sheffield’s Cross Theater in 1977.
O’Sullivan out of world championships, claims refs ‘have it in for me’
