World Snooker Championship star turned up drunk to event and got into altercation

 

Robert Milkins was involved in an altercation after turning up drunk to the Turkish Masters in 2022 (Image: GETTY)

World Snooker Championship star Robert Milkins turned up drunk to the inaugural Turkish Masters in 2022 following alcohol-fuelled birthday celebrations. The 49-year-old reached the second round at the Crucible last year but failed to make it through qualifying ahead of this year’s edition of the tournament.

Milkins, who was the player Ronnie O’Sullivan was locked in battle with when the Rocket snapped his cue and withdrew from the Championship League in January, has featured in the main draw at the World Snooker Championship on 10 occasions. He has never made it to the third round, but has beaten the likes of  Neil Robertson and Joe Perry in Sheffield. And he hit the headlines following his actions in Turkey three years ago.

Following his arrival at the Turkish Masters, an inebriated Milkins was involved in an altercation with guests as he took a swing at World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association chairman Jason Ferguson. His evening eventually ended in hospital as he was forced to have his stomach pumped.

And the veteran explained at the time: “I can only apologise to any guests I offended. I wouldn’t have known who it was.

“My behaviour was totally out of order. I will take whatever punishment I receive. It won’t be happening again. I only play to try and support my kids and I have let them down as well, which is the worst bit.”

Ronnie O'Sullivan was in action against Robert Milkins when he snapped his cue in January

The talented ace faced disciplinary action for his behaviour but went on to defeat Kyren Wilson in the Gibraltar Open just weeks after the incident in Turkey.

And he later said: “What happened in Turkey was probably the best thing that has ever happened to me - in a nasty way.

“I am not proud of what I did, but looking back at it, it was the best thing. I went and got counselling straight away, she was brilliant. "

He added: “World Snooker Tour sorted it out for me after what I done in Turkey. I had a few issues, I told them about them and I wasn’t happy with a few things in life. And they got me on the Tony Adams charity, Sporting Chance.

“I met up with a lady in Gloucester, had six sessions in total and she said if I had more problems to go back.

“And after one session I won the Gibraltar Open. I opened up to someone, telling the lady things that nobody else knows, getting everything off my chest.”