Snooker Shoot Out: Referee wrongly calls foul against Long Zehuang during Vladislav Gradinari clash - 'Absolute mare'

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A mistake from the referee was one of the major talking points of the Friday evening session at the 2024 Snooker Shoot Out. Long Zehuang's safety shot clearly grazed the red, but the referee picked up the white ball and called a foul, only to reverse his decision and lead to a delay before play restarted, with the vocal crowd making their opinions clear.

‘He’s had an absolute mare!’ – Referee wrongly calls foul as commentators plead for VAR

Video credit: TNT Sports

There was controversy in the Snooker Shoot Out second round match between Long Zehuang and Vladislav Gradinari as the referee made a remarkable error.

With the score locked at 3-1 to Long after a cagey opening five minutes, the Chinese player attempted to play a safety shot and only marginally grazed the red.

The referee, though, appeared to think he had missed, waiting for the white to stop before picking it up and calling a foul.

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It was met by bemusement from both players and the crowd, as well as the Eurosport commentary team.

"He's just caught the edge of that red," said Steven Hallworth on Eurosport commentary. "What's the referee done here? He's had an absolute mare.

"He's hit the red. VAR. We need VAR here."

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Video credit: TNT Sports

The referee soon realised his mistake amid chants from the crowd, reversing his decision and eventually allowing Gradinari to continue when the cue ball was placed in the right position.

"It's a very unusual situation this," added Hallworth. "Can we have some order for just a few moments please."

Gradinari went on to win a tense match 18-15 to advance to the next round in Leicester.

The quickfire format has clearly added extra pressure for both players and referees, with little time to consider decisions.

Mark Selby, who beat Jak Jones in his second round match, commented on the frantic nature of the Shoot Out.

"It's great [that] there's room for it in the calendar," he said on Eurosport. "I think they should have another one."

On the rowdy atmosphere from the crowd, Selby said: "I come from a pool background and it's always like that. I was saying to my friend when I was practicing, you listen to the crowd and it's like darts."

The Snooker Shoot Out drama continues on Eurosport and discovery+ this weekend.

Watch and stream top snooker action, including the Shoot Out, live and on demand on Eurosport and discovery+

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