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World Snooker issue response after Steve Davis fumes over Crucible 'embarrassment'

Steve Davis was among the snooker legends to voice their dismay after the 14th frame during the semi-final between Mark Allen and Wu Yize lasted a record-breaking 100 minutes and 21 seconds

[SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - APRIL 30: Pundit and former snooker player, Steve Davis looks on during day thirteen of the Halo World Snooker Championship at The Crucible Theatre on April 30, 2026 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)]

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Steve Davis has demanded action after the farcical scenes (Image: George Wood/Getty Images)

World Snooker have defended under-fire referee Marcel Eckardt after the longest frame in Crucible history took place on Friday. The second session of Mark Allen and Wu Yize's semi-final clash was marred by a 14th frame which lasted 100 minutes and 21 seconds.

The match descended into a farce after eight red balls were left covering the black over a corner pocket. German official Eckardt faced calls to restart the frame but allowed play to continue, as the crowd in Sheffield grew impatient.

Not a single ball was potted for 55 minutes, and the frame only came to an end when Allen fouled and nudged the black in. The session, which ended with the scores 7-7, had to be shortened as a result of the chaos, and the resumption of John Higgins and Shaun Murphy's semi-final was delayed as a consequence.

Six-time world champion Steve Davis demanded action from snooker chiefs, telling the BBC: "In a nutshell that frame is an embarrassment to snooker, and the referees' and the players' association need to try to work out a way so that never happens again."

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But in response to the criticism, World Snooker said that it felt 'the rule was applied correctly' by Eckardt. Stephen Hendry didn't agree, with the seven-time Crucible champion saying: "The referee's got to get involved here, in my opinion.

"This is the dark side of snooker. It's been a horrendous frame but it's helped Wu Yize so much.

"He didn't look like winning another frame, but the ludicrous nature of this has just helped to lighten the load on him and free him up, forget what was happening to him in this session."

The 2024 champion, Kyren Wilson, also said: "I think Marcel Eckardt should've called that a lot earlier. That game was going nowhere, quite painful, but the fight and determination from Mark Allen is still incredible."

Should the referee have stopped the frame earlier? Have your say in the comments section.

[SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - MAY 01: Mark Allen of Northern Ireland speaks with referee, Marcel Eckardt as a re-rack is threatened due to the red balls covering the black in the corner pocket during the semi final match between Mark Allen of Northern Ireland and Wu Yize of China on day fourteen of the Halo World Snooker Championship at The Crucible Theatre on May 01, 2026 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)]

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Referee Marcel Eckardt 'applied the rule correctly' despite criticism(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)

John Parrott was of the same opinion and urged Eckardt to intervene. "I've never seen a frame like it in all my years," Parrott, who won the tournament in 1991, bemoaned.

"I've never seen it this bad. Mark Allen says he doesn't want a re-rack, but the referee is in charge and the referee should be in charge. I can understand from Mark's point of view, but the referee has the authority to do something about this."

Allen and Wu will resume their first-to-17 match at 10am on Saturday.

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