Snooker: O'Sullivan gestures were 'unacceptable'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Ronnie O'Sullivan will face disciplinary action for lewd comments and gestures he made in a post-match press conference at the China Open this week after footage of the incident was viewed yesterday by Sir Rodney Walker, the head of game's governing body, who described it as "unacceptable" and then apologised to the people of China on O'Sullivan's behalf.
O'Sullivan, 32, world champion in 2001 and 2004, looked bored and mischievously relaxed in turn at Wednesday's conference, after a first-round defeat to Marcu Fu. In footage now available on YouTube (link below), he audibly asks at one point: "Fuck me, how many questions are they going to ask?"
But the major controversy surrounds jokey remarks in reference to his microphone. Walker, chairman of World Snooker, arrived in Beijing yesterday and watched the footage. "I would like to send my apologies to the people of China for any offence that may have been caused," he said. "Ronnie O'Sullivan's behaviour was unacceptable."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments