Welsh Open 2026: Mark Williams says 'shut up' as rare referee error nearly actions snooker rule change against Martin O'Donnell

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There were confusing and amusing scenes during Mark Williams' 4-1 victory over Martin O'Donnell in the Welsh Open second round on Wednesday. In an uncommon error, the referee did not spot the yellow after it was potted by Williams following the final red. The error was called out by the marker, but under modern snooker rules, Williams would have gone unpunished if he proceeded with his break.

Bizarre scenes as Williams says 'shut up' after marker corrects referee error

Video credit: TNT Sports

Mark Williams - and the Welsh Open crowd - saw the funny side after an uncommon error was made by referee Julian Bell which could have exercised a change to the snooker rulebook.

A frame up and having just potted the final red and subsequent yellow to move level at 51-51 in the second, Williams was charging towards a 2-0 lead against Martin O'Donnell.

Confusion seemed to stem from the fact Williams elected yellow as his colour after potting the final red.

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The elected coloured ball must be re-spotted before a player can proceed with clearing the colours - a sequence which begins with potting the yellow ball.

In bizarre scenes, referee Bell appeared to head towards the pocket holding the yellow ball, before refraining, and seeming to allow Williams to continue his break.

The Welshman got down in preparation to play the green, before the marker's voice appeared from behind the table, informing Bell of the mistake.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

"The yellow comes back up - I thought that!" TNT Sports commentator Neal Foulds exclaimed.

"I thought I was going mad. I’m not sure the marker should really get involved in that, should he? I think the referee also doubted himself."

The yellow was swiftly re-spotted, as Williams looked and smiled towards the spotter, heard on TNT Sports' commentary jokingly saying: "Thanks... shut up!"

The remark likely stemmed from the fact Williams seemed to play for position on green, and upon the re-spot of the yellow, the Welshman had to retrieve the cue extender and rest.

Foulds noted on TNT Sports commentary the possibility of a foul for Williams if he had continued his break. And indeed, under the old snooker rules, he would have been penalised, with the responsibility to spot such instances falling on the player as well as the referee.

However, modern snooker rules - as outlined by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), specify a player should not be penalised if they continue their break when a referee has mistakenly failed to spot a ball.

Rule 7(a) says: "A player shall not be held responsible for any mistake by the referee in failing to spot any ball correctly."

And in the event this does occur, any colours missing from the table which are incorrect will be spotted "without penalty when discovered if missing due to previous oversight, provided the frame has not already ended".

There are nuances to this rule, however. A player could be subject to a penalty if they are deemed to have continued their break "before the referee was able to complete the spotting".

In this case, the marker saved some potential confusion among spectators, who may be accustomed to the old snooker rules.

Watch: HUGE fluke as O'Donnell nudges off blue and green before missing routine red

Video credit: TNT Sports

And while Williams was not wholly grateful for the intervention, he ultimately dispatched the frame by continuing his break and surging into a 3-0 lead.

In a display which looked short of confidence, O'Donnell did get himself on the scoreboard, but could not prevent home favourite Williams from surging to a decisive victory.

Barry Hawkins awaits Williams with a quarter-final spot on the line.

Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the Welsh Open, live on TNT Sports and discovery+

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