Ronnie O’Sullivan is facing a forfeit punishment following his angry exchange with referee Olivier Marteel as he established a dominant 12-5 lead over Judd Trump on the first day of the World Championship final.
Marteel was clearly frustrated with the 46-year-old after O’Sullivan returned to his seat following a snooker in the eighth frame. The World No. 1 accused the referee of ‘looking for trouble’ after he received a formal warning for a gesture.
O’Sullivan, who said the the official ‘saw nothing’, could also be heard saying ‘don’t start’ to Marteel. Trump questioned why six-time champion’s frustrations couldn’t be aired until after the frame had been completed, although the 32-year-old won two successive frames to fight back.
