Welsh Open: Jimmy White backs referee Anastasiya Tuzikova over Bulcsu Revesz shirt incident - 'Smarten yourself up'
By Alex Livie
Updated 27/02/2026 at 16:50 GMT
React to this story
It was a case of fashion police stopping play at the Welsh Open, as Bulcsu Revesz was asked to tuck his shirt in by referee Anastasiya Tuzikova during his clash with John Higgins. TNT Sports pundits Alan McManus and Jimmy White had slightly different views on the incident. Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the Welsh Open, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
'They have got a job do do' - White and McManus discuss Revesz shirt incident
Video credit: TNT Sports
Jimmy White and Alan McManus had contrasting views on referee Anastasiya Tuzikova issuing a warning to Bulcsu Revesz to tuck his shirt in at the Welsh Open.
Prior to breaking off in his meeting with John Higgins in the third round of the Welsh Open in Llandudno, Revesz was asked to go back to his chair and tuck in his shirt.
The officials have been front and centre at Venue Cymru this week, with Kevin Dabrowski in his role as a marker stepping in to help referee Colin Humphries when Michael Holt fouled against Mark Williams.
Tuzikova was eagle-eyed in the Home Nations event, as she spotted Revesz’s shirt was not where it should be - and she made the player aware of the issue.
Six-time World Championship finalist White was full of praise for Tuzikova - saying he prefers to see players looking smart.
"I don’t like this playing in a shirt, I think they should play in a waistcoat," White said in the TNT Sports studio at the Welsh Open. "A lot of the new players, Judd Trump and all that, they all want to play in a polo shirt, but I like the dress suit and the bow tie.
- Wild frame as Robertson misses 12 snooker escapes before push shot review
- Crowd left 'stunned' as Lisowski BLASTS cue ball off table, concedes frame and walks out
"If someone’s shirt is sticking out, you see a lot of players, sometimes they have bought a new shirt and the waistcoat is not the right size and the shirt is sticking out.
"So I think it is a good thing that the referee says ‘look, smarten yourself up'."
McManus had a different view of the incident to White, as he felt Tuzikova should have taken the player aside and had a quiet word about his shirt.
Speaking on TNT Sports, McManus said: "I think it was a little bit harsh. Look, if I was a referee - I am always harsh on referees - but if I was the referee I would have taken Bulcsu aside very quietly and told him to make sure his shirt was tucked in."
Higgins aiming for marginal gains
At the age of 50, Higgins is still striving to improve his game.
The four-time Crucible champion arrived in North Wales sporting a pair of shoes with a pronounced heel.
Higgins, one of the shorter players on tour at a shade over 5ft 6in, said he took inspiration from world champion Zhao Xintong who wears shoes with a heel in order to increase his height at the table.
"It is because he reckons Xintong has a bit more height at the table," White said. "John is not the tallest.
"In my day when you had Steve Davis and now Mark Selby, they are so tall. They have got that advantage where they can get to the balls.
"We’ve got John Higgins trying to improve his game. He is a machine and is trying everything."
Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the Welsh Open, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement