SM
Sunday, May 28

Gibraltar Open games take place without referees due to coronavirus concerns

:Headline: Gibraltar Open games take place without referees due to coronavirus concerns: ID:392880: from db_amp
The reigning world champion will face China's Li Hang next.

Snooker world champion Judd Trump remains in the hunt at the Gibraltar Open after claiming three wins on Saturday to reach the tournament’s last 16.

In an empty arena, the world number one toppled amateur Lee Prickman and Brazil’s Igor Figueiredo earlier in the day before wrapping up the hat-trick with a late 4-1 win over world number 34 Martin O’Donnell.

Trump will face China’s Li Hang next. Li booked his spot in the last 16 with a 4-3 victory over Mark Joyce.

Coronavirus precautions made for unusual playing conditions at the £50,000 tournament, with some matches even taking place without referees.

The event is one of the few in Europe not postponed this weekend after Friday saw a widespread shutdown due to fears over the virus.

Crowds at new venue the Europa Sports Complex were initially capped at 100 but the decision was made on Saturday morning to play behind closed doors following consultation with Gibraltar’s government.

Of more concern to players, though, was the lack of referees on certain tables – with players instead retrieving balls from the pockets for each other.

World number 76 Alfie Burden posted several tweets about the situation on the tables away from those used for feature matches on Eurosport and its streaming service.

Citing concerns about germs as the coronavirus pandemic spreads, Burden – whose win over Ian Burns had a referee – insisted he would “categorically refuse” to perform the task if asked by tournament organisers.

Adding to the sense of confusion, Bingham revealed in the same interview that he had been unaware of the change of venue until told by someone at his hotel the evening before his first-round win over Gerard Greene.

He has since been eliminated by Ben Woollaston.

Kyren Wilson, Mark Williams and Thepchaiya Un-Nooh were among those to join Trump and Woollaston in the last 16.

amp_article__392880 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-03-15 01:46:03:
html db last update - 2021-03-10 18:45:48 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Coronavirus outbreak - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Stuart Bingham

Share this article now:
Read more about Stuart Bingham Snooker
Recommended Next on SM
Read more!
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38285594336189
2Arsenal38266688434584
3Manchester UnitedMan Utd38236958431575
4Newcastle UnitedNewcastle381914568333571
5Liverpool381910975472867
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton381881272531962
7Aston Villa38187135146561
8Tottenham HotspurSpurs38186147063760
9Brentford381514958461259
10Fulham38157165553252
11Crystal Palace381112154049-945
12Chelsea381111163847-944
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38118193158-2741
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham38117204255-1340
15Bournemouth38116213771-3439
16Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest38911183868-3038
17Everton38812183457-2336
RLeicester CityLeicester3897225168-1734
RLeeds UnitedLeeds38710214878-3031
RSouthampton3867253673-3725
Scroll for more - Tap for full version

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .