Snooker star forced to forfeit match at World Seniors Championship over controversial rule

A snooker star at the World Seniors Championship had to forfeit a frame and the match after breaking an unusual rule.

Friday's action from the popular tournament saw the third round and quarter-final ties played, with Ronnie O'Sullivan among those at the table.

'The Rocket' thrashed 1997 champion Ken Doherty 4-1 before coming from behind to defeat Peter Lines 4-2.

There was major drama on Wednesday night as a fault with the slate of the table - which was causing the cue ball to bounce up after striking an object ball - forced the match between reigning champion Alfie Burden and Igor Figueiredo to be moved to a practice table.

Burden said he was 'heartbroken' by the decision to move the match. He went on to lose 4-0.

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On Thursday, there was drama in the match between Nigel Bond and Craig Steadman.

Former World Championship finalist Bond was tied at 3-3 in a best-of-seven frame match with Steadman when the pair needed a respotted black to complete the match.

Under World Seniors regulations, a 30-second shot clock is in operation exclusively for shots on the respotted black - which has baffled viewers.

As he got down to play an important safety shot on the black, Bond's timer ticked towards zero, and it expired shortly before he could play the shot.

The referee called a time foul and awarded the frame to Steadman, essentially meaning that Bond had conceded the match due to his mistake.

Bond appeared less than happy at the decision - though the rule was already in place - and the 60-year-old shook the referee's hand while only offering a glance in his direction.

The referee's decision was correct as shot clocks are in place during the tournament, having also been made part of the Snooker Shoot-Out, which is a ranking event. They were used in the now-defunct Premier League Snooker tournament.

Crucially, a 20-second shot clock is also in operation in Snooker 900 events, which are ran alongside the World Seniors Tour.

However, the shot clock is in operation for every shot at Snooker 900, leading fans to ask why it is only in place during one particular scenario during the World Championship.

"It's mental when there's 30k for the winner and potential other prizes," one fan wrote.

"What a farce, shot clock shouldn't be allowed in the World Championship," another said.

"Nigel Bond lost his match because of a time foul on the respotted block?? Absurd nonsense," a third fumed.

A fourth simply said: "Shot clock is awful."