'What's funny about that?' - Jimmy White in spat with referee, warned over finger incident at Northern Ireland Open

Jimmy White received a warning from referee Ben Williams after not seeing the funny side of an officiating error in his match against Luca Brecel at the Northern Ireland Open. The Whirlwind had just potted a long red in the fourth frame and was sizing up the brown but the referee mistakenly called the blue ball. Ad White got up from his shot and corrected the referee.

The situation drew a chuckle from commentary duo Joe Johnston and Phil Studd, with the referee soon following suit. Northern Ireland OpenBrilliant red from Hill sets him up to extend lead ahead of Trump29 MINUTES AGO The 60-year-old, however, did not find the situation funny. After correcting the call, he gesticulated at the referee and asked what was so funny.

The referee then gave White a warning for «sticking his finger up at me”. The incident went as follows: Ben Williams: “Blue ball.» White: “Brown." Williams: “Brown ball." Brecel takes dominant victory after White has spat with referee Higgins halts inspired Page in thriller at Northern Ireland Open At this point the referee laughed to the chagrin of White, who turned and then gesticulated at the referee. In making his point, White appeared to wave his index finger in the direction of the referee, who then immediately — either mistaking the index for a middle finger, or irritated by White gesticulating — gave the 60-year-old a warning.