Nightmare averted as Mark Allen's protest and Ben Woollaston's sportsmanship sees free ball overturned in dramatic Northern Ireland Open scenes
Published 22/10/2025 at 23:48 GMT+1
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At 63-17 up in the deciding frame against Ben Woollaston, with just one red and the colours remaining, Mark Allen's job was nearly done in the second round of the Northern Ireland Open. However, his status in the tournament flashed before his eyes when referee Terry Camilleri initially ruled a free ball in Woollaston's favour late on - a potentially decisive call, which was eventually overturned.
'Could have been a very wrong decision' - Allen was 'panicking' over late free-ball shout
Video credit: TNT Sports
Mark Allen was left "panicking" when a rogue call of free ball from referee Terry Camilleri threatened his Northern Ireland Open status.
With his match against Ben Woollaston tied at 3-3 on Wednesday night, Allen was 63-17 ahead in the deciding frame and needed just one more pot to secure the win, having already spurned match ball on the black.
Controversy then struck when Allen, trying to escape a snooker from the bottom of the table, failed to get contact on the final red, and left the cue ball in a precarious position with the red and blue close by one another in the centre of the table.
Camilleri called a free ball, to the instant protestation of Allen.
Neal Foulds in the TNT Sports commentary box seemed to be surprised by the events taking place.
"Is it a free ball? Wow," Foulds exclaimed. "He [Allen] is saying 'no way that’s a free ball', and I think these are very difficult ones to call.
"It’s massive isn’t it? I think it might be, you know. He’s one of the best referees around, it’s really close."
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Allen's protests successful as free-ball decision overturned - 'That was a massive moment'
Video credit: TNT Sports
But after Allen pleaded his case, with Woollaston seeming to agree, the situation began to appear more favourable for the Northern Irishman.
Camilleri was always going to undergo thorough checks regardless, however.
"Has he changed his mind? It seems that way," Foulds said. "That was a massive moment.
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"He called it, Mark didn’t think it was, which he’s very entitled to do. The measurements he made didn’t make me sure either way.
"Effectively, if that was a free ball, he could pot the green, black, clear up and win. That was a big moment there."
After settling down and assessing his options, Woollaston opted to push the red towards the middle left pocket and Allen finally put the match beyond doubt by sinking it, bringing to a close a marathon encounter at the Waterfront Hall.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
Speaking in the TNT Sports studio after the match, the two-time champion in Belfast expressed his relief at the overturning of what "could have been a very wrong decision," while crediting the sportsmanship of his opponent.
"Honestly, I didn't feel like it was close," Allen said. "Maybe it was a little closer than I first thought, but even Ben said straight away it's not a free ball.
"For some reason, Terry still felt the need to check even though we were both happy it wasn't.
"It could have been huge, it could have been a very wrong decision. But I played the escape from the snooker that way because I knew I couldn't leave a free ball from that side.
"I was panicking a little bit when I sat down, but luckily Ben was very sporting and said straight away that's not a free ball.
"He still felt the need to check it, it's his job at the end of the day. Everyone makes mistakes and referees can make mistakes, but I'm glad that wasn't one of them."
Allen, who also came through a decider to beat Robert Milkins in the first round, faces the in-form Aaron Hill next.
Watch and stream top snooker action, including the 2025 Northern Ireland Open, live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+
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