Ronnie O’Sullivan says referee Ben Williams' behaviour 'uncalled for' in Jimmy White spat at Northern Ireland Open

Ronnie O’Sullivan believes the behaviour of referee Ben Williams was “uncalled for” after a spat between the official and Jimmy White. In the fourth frame of White’s second round match against Luca Brecel at the Northern Ireland Open, which he lost 4-0, Williams wrongly called which ball The Whirlwind was going for. Ad Williams laughed at the situation which White wasn’t happy with, so he gesticulated at the official — seemingly waving a finger at the referee — and was given a warning for his actions.

Northern Ireland OpenBrilliant red from Hill sets him up to extend lead ahead of TrumpAN HOUR AGO The pair shook hands after the match but White told Williams to “look at the video” footage. “I can see why Jimmy didn't see the funny side there,” O’Sullivan said in the Eurosport studio. “He’s having a hard time out there, he’s not playing well.

“We saw Jimmy has walked round, so it might look like he's looking at the blue. The referee has jumped the gun and there's no reason to call a colour. Whatever ball he’s going to hit, it’s the one he’s intending to hit.

“Then the referee starts laughing and Jimmy has done nothing with his hand other than, ‘What’s going on, I don’t need this’. “Then he’s warned him, it’s just uncalled for really.” White missed his next shot and went on to lose the frame as his run in Belfast came to an end in the last 64. ‘It’s weird’ – Why O’Sullivan is ‘really surprised’ about snooker’s young players ‘I was having breakfast in a Wetherspoons’ – Williams opens up on day trip to Hong Kong Masters Eurosport pundit Alan McManus concurred with O’Sullivan’s comments and also believes the referee acted incorrectly.