Snooker star intervenes and gets phone out from crowd in World Championship qualifier

 There were unusual scenes during one World Snooker Championship qualifier.

David Gilbert took the phone from a fan before handing it to the match referee

Fans using phones during live snooker matches isn’t something looked upon favourably by the authorities. However, the match referee in today’s World Championship qualifier between David Gilbert and Aaron Hill was left indebted to one spectator having some footage on his device.

Following his 10-6 win over Chenzhi Gong on Saturday, Gilbert was looking to take early command against Hill. However, the action was halted in the first frame as the main official struggled to reset the balls after a foul. It was then Gilbert decided to take matters into his own hands, literally, as he was seen approaching the crowd.

He then returned to the table carrying a phone that had been handed to him. The 43-year-old had good reason for doing so, though, as a fan had seemingly taken a picture of the balls before the foul took place.

The referee gratefully accepted the help. He made no secret that he was then using the screenshot to help reset matters, with the play duly getting back underway moments later.

Gilbert trails 9-7 in his World Championship qualifier.

The issue of referees resetting the balls has long been debated in snooker. Sure enough, the footage was soon posted online, with many fans arguing that a better system was needed to assist officials in that situation.

Gilbert might have been left to regret offering his help, though. It was Hill who then seized the momentum as he moved to the brink of victory with a 9-7 lead in the best-of-19-frame contest.

Only the top 16 players in the world rankings are seeded through to the main stage at the Crucible. The qualifiers are running until April 16 at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield, with only a further 16 from the 128 players involved able to make it back to Sheffield.

Gilbert not qualifying for the World Championship would be considered a shock given his display last year. The world no.23 reached the semi-final, defeating defending champion Luca Brecel in the first round, before losing to eventual champion Kyren Wilson.