RONNIE O’SULLIVAN’S World Championship semi-final with Zhao Xintong is warming up nicely.
But it might not be the hottest – or spiciest – thing at the Crucible table!
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Fans heard what appeared to be referee Leo Scullion’s tummy rumbling – just as Zhao was lining up a red.
The much-respected official appeared to give the game away by quickly putting his hand to his stomach.
And viewers wondered what he’d been eating to produce such a gurgle.
One posted: “Shouldn’t have had that curry last night Leo.”
Another observer wrote: “Sounds like he had a Taco Bell last night.”
A third suggested: “Dodgy takeaway last night.”
A fourth fan was more brutal as he asked: “WTF is that noise?”
But a fifth viewer might have hit the back of the onion bag with his theory.
He posted: “Scullion has been on the scallions.”
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The 67-year-old, is a professional ref who has been overseeing Pro Tour matches since 1999.
But even that reputation didn’t save him from TNT Sports having fun over the incident.
The broadcaster posted a clip of the sight and sound.
Not only that, TNT added the comment: “Was that a stomach rumble from the referee?” – followed by a laughing emoji.
Whatever it was, it didn’t seem to affect Zhao.
The Chinese ace didn’t break his focus for an instant as he poted the red to the middle pocket. potted the ruby – sorry, the red – smoothly.
He then compiled 86 – his best break of the match at that stage – as he powered back to level against seven-time world champion O’Sullivan at four frames apiece.
Zhao is clearly a cool customer – as later in the same eighth frame he also dealt with a table pocket BREAKING.
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