A testy Ronnie O’Sullivan clashed with referee Desislava Bozhilova before crashing out of the World Snooker Championship in the quarter-finals.
The Rocket were defeated 13-10 by Stuart Bingham as their hopes of winning a record eighth Crucible title faded.
But there was a flashpoint in frame 21 when play was interrupted by spectators watching the adjacent match between Kyren Wilson and John Higgins returning to their seats.
O’Sullivan was about to shoot when he was distracted by noise and movement in the auditorium and opted to sit until the crowd calmed down.
Bozhilova tried to prevent anyone else from entering the arena during the other match mid-session, but was unsuccessful.
Ronnie O’Sullivan clashed with referee Desislava Bozhilova during his World Snooker Championship exit against Stuart Bingham.
She said: ‘They’re not going to let anyone in. Everyone is already seated. We might have to wait 20 minutes, you know what I mean?
When O’Sullivan finally returned to the table, he told the Bulgarian referee to “just relax” before issuing a long red.
However, it was not a prelude to a victory as Bingham pulled away to win that frame and the next two.
Earlier, O’Sullivan claimed “the referees have warmed to me” after a controversial moment over a rolling black.
In the 12th frame, O’Sullivan potted the black for 29, with Bingham on 43. However, when Bozhilova potted the black again, she obstructed her shot at the next red by rolling a little closer to the cue ball.
In a show of good sportsmanship, O’Sullivan offered Bingham the opportunity to take a closer look at the situation.
After black’s position was adjusted slightly, he could have potentially put in red, but instead O’Sullivan decided to take a safety shot. Bingham eventually won the painting.
During the break between sessions, O’Sullivan attacked Bozhilova in an interview on Eurosport.
“It’s just a normal day for me, a bit of pool, a bit of food, rest, went to the gym this morning, good day,” he said.
The quarterfinal match was at a critical juncture in frame 21 when spectators (right) watching the adjacent match were interrupted and returned to their seats.
O’Sullivan, who was about to receive a long red, was unimpressed by the noise and disturbance as he resumed his seat.
O’Sullivan then told referee Bozhilova to “just relax” as she returned to the table.
Stuart Bingham defeated him 13-10 in the quarter-finals of the tournament at the Crucible.
Bingham will advance to face Jak Jones, who beat Judd Trump in the other quarterfinals.
‘To be honest with you, some of the referees have been angry with me. I just wanted to show him that he was wrong.
“So I thought I didn’t feel good about having to put the ball in after that, but I just wanted to make a point. The point was made.
“I’m not so hungry to win that way, I’m more of a principled person.”
In the Crucible semi-finals, Wilson will face David Gilbert and Bingham will play Jak Jones, with the two best-of-33 matches beginning on Thursday.
After his defeat, O’Sullivan said his “arm was twisted” to come compete in the Crucible this year.
“I actually wasn’t going to play in this one until a new sponsor came along and said (you have to play),” he said.
“I wasn’t really going to play in Manchester or this because of how I felt playing.” Then they twisted my arm.
“So, like I said, first come, first served.”
When asked what he would have done if he hadn’t played the Crucible, O’Sullivan said: “I have a very busy and good life, you know… I probably would have gone and painted a bit with Damien (Hirst). I ate good food. with him, I took the dogs out, spent time with (his wife) Laila, saw my kids, went to Champney’s Spa and maybe spent four or five days there.
‘I would have come here, I would have spent a few days doing some things with Eurosport, running in the Peaks, going to the gym, eating good food. Yes the life.’
