Ronnie O'Sullivan slams referee in heated row during World Championship final

Ronnie O’Sullivan was embroiled in an angry exchange with referee Olivier Marteel as he took a 5-3 lead in the opening session of the World Snooker Championship final against Judd Trump.

Marteel appeared to admonish O’Sullivan when the six-time champion returned to his seat after failing to get out of a snooker in the eighth frame, prompting O’Sullivan to jab his finger and respond that the official “saw nothing”.

O'Sullivan could also be heard saying "don't start" to Marteel, before Trump then appeared to question why O'Sullivan's ticking off couldn't have waited until after the frame had finished.

Ultimately, the incident didn't knock Trump off his stride and he won the frame - his second in succession - to reduce the arrears before O’Sullivan left the arena without offering the usual handshake to Marteel.

Six-time world champion Steve Davis said on BBC commentary: "It felt like maybe an obscenity was said and Olivier Marteel might have pulled him up on it.

"It was a tough moment for Judd Trump as he didn't want all that - he just wanted to pot that yellow, so what a pot it was."

Stephen Hendry, who O'Sullivan will draw level with on seven world titles with a victory over Trump, said of the opening session: "That session had everything.

"It had centuries, the drama with re-spotting the cue ball - it was a fantastic session of snooker. Judd was maybe not at his absolute best but it just sets it up beautifully for tonight at 5-3."