Controversy in semi-final drama at Sarikei Open
SIBU: It was the end of the road for surprise package Hardy Carloss but drama unfolded when title favourite Mark Yeo called it quits after complaining of unfair judging during the semifinal of the 1st Sarikei Snooker Open Championship on Tuesday night.
Trailing 21-22 against Rolando Lim in the third frame after 1-1 each, Yeo potted the green ball to take the lead at 24-22 with only four colored balls remaining.
But just as he was about to aim for the brown ball, the referee stepped in and handed him a foul for touching the pink ball while potting the green.
The decision stunned Yeo as well as the crowd.
“Because the pink and the cue balls are placed in such a reverse angle, there is no way I will touch the pink while potting the green,” Yeo argued.
Nevertheless, Yeo al lowed the play to proceed but decided to retire after Lim secured the frame.
He then took off his vest in protest and walked off.
“There is no way for me to play on as the referee’s misjudgment had seriously a f fected my morale and mental strength,” he said.
“No doubt, as referees, they carry the power to make decision but once the decision is make, there should not be any reversal or else it will create serious misunderstanding,” he added.
Meanwhile, newcomer and giant slayer Hardy went down tamely to teammate Tan Chin Yong 0- 3 in the other semi-final .
Hardy, who had defeated top veteran player James Giam en route to the semi-final, admitted to playing under a different kind of pressure.
“I am just not at my best and also Tan is playing very well,” he said before vowing to train harder and come back a better player next time.