Fans confused after snooker star punished by 'never-before-seen' foul during Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters match

Ding Junhui was punished after committing a bizarre 'never-before-seen' foul during his Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters clash against Stuart Bingham.

The 35-year-old, who entered the tournament at the fifth round due to being in the top 16, lost the match 5-4 after a tense final frame decider.

Ding went 4-3 up, but lost the final two frames to suffer an agonising exit from the inaugural holding of the big-money tournament in Riyadh.

But he lost the ninth frame after a bizarre incident that was eventually called as a foul by the referee.

Having compiled 32 points to Bingham's zero, Ding potted the black and cannoned into the reds to open up the pack.

But the referee Olivier Marteel called for a foul, with viewers left confused - until it was pointed out that it was because of the tip on Ding's cue.

Zoomed-in replays showed that the Chinese star's cue tip fell off after he struck the object ball, and bounced into the pack of reds before any other ball made a connection.

As a result, the referee was forced to call a foul - and snooker fans can't recall ever seeing a similar situation.

You can see the incident below.

What followed was Marteel attempting to explain the rule to Ding - who had to get his cue fixed before returning to the arena - before he attempted to do the same to Bingham.

The Englishman eventually came to the table and hit a break of 63 to win the match.

Marteel told Ding (via Eurosport): "It happens. Go to the office. They will sort it out.

"Yes, I'm sure that your tip hit the red. Junhui, I wouldn't say it if it wasn't true."

Ding said he didn't see the incident, to which Marteel nodded his head.

When the frame was over, the referee told the 37-year-old: "So sorry, there's nothing I can do." Ding replied: "No worries."