Neil Robertson is facing a Crucible fine (Image: BBC)
Neil Robertson is facing a fine for conceding a frame too early at the World Snooker Championship because he misread the scoreboard. The Australian world No.3 led by 1-0 in his first-round match against Pang Junxu at the Crucible. But after missing a routine black with the rest at 57-10 against his Chinese opponent, Robertson conceded to allow Pang to draw level.
What the 2010 world champion did not realise was that he was only 47 points behind with 51 remaining on the table. Robertson mistakenly miscalculated that he was 57 behind, and would require snookers to win. He gave up the frame and is now in line for a £250 fine. BBC commentator and former world champion Ken Doherty reacted: “Well, what’s happened there? He’s actually conceded when he could still win. Absolutely disgusted with missing that black. That’s very unusual for Neil Robertson to do something like that. You don’t really see that in the game anymore. That’s going to cost him the first frame to Pang Junxu. Now it’s one frame all.”
Before co-commentator Joe Perry added: “I’m not entirely sure Neil realised he can still win you know because that’s totally out of character. He’s going to get a warning in a minute from the referee and then he’ll realise what he’s done.”
When approached by the referee Terry Camilleri, Robertson argued that he was 57 behind. But he’d misread the score as he was actually trailing by 47, with three reds remaining on the table.
After Camilleri brought the score up on a TV replay, Robertson acknowledged: “Ah I miscalculated the score. Yeah, yeah, sorry. Yeah I didn’t mean it.”
Doherty continued: “Not only will he be getting warned, he’ll incur a fine for that as well. £250 that cost him. You don’t see that anymore because there were a few players doing it a few years ago, that’s why they brought in the warning and the fine to stop players conceding frames when there’s enough points on the table to win.”
Before Perry said: “I thought it was a miscalculation from Neil because he would never, ever do that ever. It’s not in Neil’s character. Just a complete misread of the scores. No petulance or anger there from Neil, just a complete miscalculation. A nice little fine in the post Ken!”
Neil Robertson in discussion with referee Terry Camilleri about the concession (Image: BBC)
Neil Robertson missed a simple black and then miscalculated the score (Image: BBC)
On TNT Sports, Alan McManus reacted: “We were a little confused. But he’s 47 points adrift with 51 on, so if you concede before you can numerically [lose the frame], then there’s a directive that players will be fined.
“Neil, as you can hear, says ‘sorry, yeah it’s cool.’ I wouldn’t blame Terry Camilleri on this, because I think it was the marker that alerted Terry to the indiscretion, and then Terry went and informed Neil.
“I wouldn’t have. If he gets a parking fine, it’s his parking ticket, let him deal with it. It’s not for you to go and say ‘just to let you know, you’re going to be fined X amount of money’. Inform him after the match, not during.”
Rule 4.5 (c) of the WPBSA rule book states: “A player shall not concede a frame in any match unless snookers are required. Any breach of this rule shall be regarded as ungentlemanly conduct or misconduct by the player concerned.”
Robertson, 44, finished the session leading 5-4. Victory over Pang would pit him against the 13th seed Chris Wakelin in the second round, with a quarter-final match-up against John Higgins or Ronnie O’Sullivan the reward for the winner of that tie.