RAGING Jimmy White stuck his finger up at a ref mid-match after the official started laughing.
The snooker star, 60, stuck his index finger up towards the ref and questioned why he was laughing as the official guffawed at his own mistake.
The incident occurred during White’s 4-0 loss against Luca Brecel in the second round of the Northern Ireland Open on Tuesday.
Ben Williams made an incorrect call, nominating the blue ball instead of the brown ball, and then laughed about his error.
However, White didn’t see the funny side and asked three times: “what’s funny about that?”
He gestured toward Williams with his finger, who then laid down his authority.
The now-less-than-amused ref told White that the frame would be given to his opponent if he continued.
On social media, snooker fans seemed to have mixed opinions on whether to blame the former world champ or Williams himself.
One wrote: “Very unprofessional from the ref. He should have simply apologised for naming the wrong colour and not laughed his head off in Jimmy’s face.
“It was clearly a tense moment and ref misjudged the situation and effectively made it worse. The ref should get a warning imo!!”
While another thought that White should have held back: “No matter what you don’t act like that towards the referee.
“Ben made a mistake, it was corrected but Jimmy still got angry. Had he just laughed with him and played the shot it would have went much better for everyone.”
Another blamed them both: “The ref was unprofessional in the first instance. Then Jimmy was unprofessional in the second instance. 15 all.”
Fellow Brit snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan backed his pal White
During Eurosport’s coverage of the game, O’Sullivan explained how William’s behaviour was “uncalled for”.
Sticking up for his fellow snooker player, the Rocket said: “I can see why Jimmy’s not seen the funny side of that.
“He’s having a hard time out there, he’s not playing well and then the referee starts laughing.
“Jimmy’s done nothing with his hand and then he’s warned him. It’s just uncalled for.”
