Snooker referee told he had 'nightmare' match as he calls controversial rare foul - The Mirror

Jimmy White beat Hossein Vafaei 4-2 at the Northern Ireland Open and there was a controversial decision made by referee Kevin Dabrowski that went against Vafaei

Jimmy White picked up a dramatic win over Hossein Vafaei at the Northern Ireland Open, with referee Kevin Dabrowski calling a controversial rare foul.

White's 4-2 win over the world number 24 was a major upset, with Vafaei particularly unhappy after Dabrowski called a foul when he potted a red. Dabrowski insisted he was "100 per cent sure" that Vafaei had placed the cue ball outside the D after White had potted it.

Vafaei was not happy and called for a replay to be shown, but Dabrowski was adamant his call was correct. Eurosport commentator Neal Foulds was less convinced after seeing the replay, stating: "I can't tell.

"It's got to be over the line I suppose, rather than on the line. It looked like it might have been in. But I'm not going to say either way. I don't think it's very obvious, one way or another."

However, Dabrowski insisted the call was "very obvious", telling Vafaei: "I'm 100 per cent certain. Hossein, would you like to take a look? It's very obvious." Vafaei protested: "It's on the yellow spot!"

Dabrowski then responded: "It's not Hossein. You can see on the video it's outside of the D. I'm 100 per cent sure." Speaking after the game, White admitted it was a "nightmare" situation for Dabrowski to handle.

"When we looked at it on the camera it was close, but I remember that happened to me in The Masters once," White said. "You're absolutely right, it looks a little bit right of the yellow spot. I thought it was over the line going up.

"I see what you're saying. He was adamant the referee. He had a bit of a nightmare today with the match, didn't he? Then you've got a few people in the crowd who got a bit excited, but he did well. But yeah, there it looks slightly out."

Former snooker player Alan McManus also felt Dabrowski made the right call, explaining: "The player is responsible for putting the cue ball in the D properly. He is using both lines, the baulk line and the D-line; it must be inside both.

"This isn't football we're playing here; it's totally different. The cue ball can't be touching the line. So although it's touching it, it's more out than in and that's basically what the referee has to look at. It means that Kevin Dabrowski, in my opinion, made the correct call."

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.