China's Ding Junhui in action against Ryan Day (back) of Wales during their first-round match at the world championships in Sheffield, England, yesterday. |
Chinese star Ding Junhui added to the controversy at the Crucible by hitting out at fans and conditions following his defeat by Welshman Ryan Day.
The seventh seed became the second Chinese player to cause a stir at the snooker worlds when he labelled the fans at the Crucible Center as "rubbish".
"I don't think the tables were right, I don't think the fans were right. It was all rubbish," said the 25-year-old.
"They just kept shouting. People say Chinese fans are no good, but I'm here and what do they do?"
Ding, who has relocated to live in Sheffield, looked like he would wrap up the deciding frame but missed a red after taking his break to 48, allowing Day to snatch victory.
Asked if he felt the behaviour of the crowd was acceptable, Ding replied: "No."
This year's tournament has had more controversy in its first five days than many previous stagings have had in their entirety.
Last week, two-time world champion Mark Williams criticised the Sheffield venue and suggested the event be moved to China. The Welshman was booed before his opener against Liu Chuang on Wednesday.
On Sunday, Northern Ireland's Mark Allen accused first-round conqueror Cao Yupeng and other Chinese players of dishonesty and has since been threatened with disciplinary action.
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