Controversial moment as Jack Lisowski called for foul during win over Louis Heathcote at International Championship - 'It's nowhere near, mate.'

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Jack Lisowski beat Louis Heathcote to set up a clash with Ronnie O’Sullivan in the third round of the International Championship, but he was involved in a controversial moment after being called for a foul by the referee in Nanjing. Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the International Championship, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

‘It’s nowhere near!’ – Lisowski in ref dispute after being penalised for moving red with waistcoat

Video credit: TNT Sports

Jack Lisowski was involved in a controversial moment during his 6-4 win over Louis Heathcote at the International Championship.

Lisowski was leading 5-3 in the race to six, but his opponent was at the table and in the balls - only to miss a simple red.

Heathcote returned to his chair after thumping his cue on the floor, seemingly fearing the worst.

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But he was back at the table moments later as Lisowski was called for a foul. In stretching to reach the cue ball for a red, Lisowski was deemed to have touched a red with his shirt.

The Northern Ireland Open winner was unhappy with the call, as he turned to the referee and said: "No, it’s not a foul."

As the referee pointed to Lisowski’s shirt and then the ball, the world No. 24 replied: "It’s nowhere near, mate, nowhere near."

Lisowski got down again to demonstrate what he thought had happened, but the official was not for turning and the player returned to his chair in disappointment.

Heathcote emerged from his chair and had a conversation with Lisowski, before getting down and potting the red his opponent had his eyes on.

With a sizeable lead already on the board, Heathcote went on to win the frame and cut the gap to one.

At the end of the frame, Lisowski had a further conversation with the official - but he shrugged off the disappointment to take the 10th and complete the win.

Biggest test in the game

Victory set up a meeting with Ronnie O’Sullivan, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, and Lisowski said he was looking forward to "the biggest test in the game".

"It is fantastic to pick up where I left off in Belfast," Lisowski said. "I did not want to lose this game, I wanted to keep it going.

"I’ve got Ronnie now, so it is going to be a big ask to keep it up.

"My game is in great shape and he is the biggest test in the game.

"I am not going to say I am looking forward to it. I’ve looked forward to playing him before, so I’m not sure that’s how you can look at it."

Asked if it was a good time to be playing O’Sullivan on the back of his first career title, Lisowski replied: "I’ve played him before when I was pretty confident and he’s bashed me up, so it is one of those games where I have got to be on red alert from the first ball.

"It is a fantastic test of my game and where I am at.

"You look forward to playing him since you were a kid, so to be here and playing him is fantastic, but I can’t get too involved in that. It is just another player I have got to play.

"I have got to try and beat him somehow but I am sure he is going to make it really difficult for me."

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

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