‘Nothing for me there’ – Controversy as Wakelin disagrees with call for foul
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The incident occurred after the mini-interval on Sunday, with Robertson a frame ahead at 7-6, but Wakelin on course to level with a 42-0 lead in the 14th frame.
The balls were set up in such a manner that Wakelin only really had to overcome a long red – cueing awkwardly with a yellow in close proximity – to get himself in with a big scoring opportunity at the top end of the table to clinch the levelling frame.
And he made light work of the long red but to his astonishment, a call of foul from referee Peggy Li standing directly behind him – brought a premature end to his break.
Wakelin turned around with a shocked expression as he learnt he had been penalised for making contact with the yellow ball with his cue. A short video review followed and TNT Sports commentators Phil Yates and Joe Johnson had contrary opinions to the referee.
“Peggy Li was adamant there was a foul but I thought she was standing behind Chris, it will be interesting to see this,” Yates said. “She’s just checking the video evidence.”
Viewing the incident again, he said: “Nothing for me there. When she called the foul, he turned round to see her, right behind him.”
Johnson added: “Nor me. And what a difference it makes. He was bang on the black.”
Despite clearly struggling to accept the infringement, Wakelin returned to his seat and was shrinking into his chair as he watched Robertson clear up to the blue with a break of 65. “That’s very painful for that man,” Yates observed.
TNT Sports footage showed Wakelin and Li in discussions following the end of the frame, with the referee explaining that she had seen him make a very slight contact with the side of the yellow ball.
While Wakelin still did not appear in agreement, he accepted the verdict and even shared a laugh before the action got back underway.
“Between frames, Peggy Li explaining what happened,” Yates said. “She correctly said she was very well positioned to see the shot, directly behind Chris Wakelin.
“I still don’t think he’s convinced it’s the right decision. She said as the cue went through the yellow, the side of the yellow was just touched. But there’s no doubt Peggy Li was well-placed to see such an infraction.”
Watch: ‘Incredible’ Vafaei foul as cue ball slams into pocket at ‘100 miles per hour’
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If the afternoon was not already frustrating enough for Wakelin, the incident seemed to turn the tide of the match completely against him.
Wakelin scored just 16 points in the final two frames as Robertson found his flow, and now faces a huge uphill battle in order to stay at the Crucible.
“It’s as if that incident was a catalyst for Robertson to start playing his best,” Yates said. “That’s what happened. Since that very moment, this has been the best spell from Robertson of the match.
Johnson added: “The referee was stood in a very good spot. The yellow didn’t move. She said he just brushed it ever so slightly. The video, you couldn’t tell.
“But Chris being the gentleman he is, he accepted the decision – and from there, Neil Robertson has been lethal.”
Yates replied: “You make a really good point. Wakelin’s acceptance of the decision, even though he didn’t agree with it, was very admirable.”
Referee ‘beyond reproach’ – McManus
TNT Sports expert Alan McManus said referee Li is “beyond reproach” for the controversy but did feel she could have taken up a slightly better position to call the foul.
“It’s not so much a controversial moment, but a questionable one,” McManus said. “But I do believe Peggy Li is beyond reproach.
“At a recent tournament, Shaun Murphy did something similar, she was on his shoulder, he did feather the ball, and it was a foul. That was more inconclusive, obviously.
“She’s not quite in the correct position. She should be on the other side of the cue. It’s impossible for us to tell, Peggy obviously had a better view.”
Referee is ‘beyond reproach’ for Wakelin foul controversy – McManus
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White added: “Where the referee is standing, she has obviously seen something that I haven’t seen. I’ve watched this three or four times.
“Chris Wakelin doesn’t seem to see what he’s done wrong, but he must’ve touched the yellow with his cue. I couldn’t see anything.
“But the situation, he’s 42 in front, one frame behind. It completely changes the match. He’s going on there to seven each, he ended up 10-6 after the session.”
Asked whether the foul should have been subject to a more forensic video review, as seen at the top level of football, McManus replied: “Yes they should, and they do.
“The monitor on the floor cameras is a good one. The match director can say replay that for Peggy please. They can see it, and get a good look at it.
“Perhaps Chris could have done that, but it was inconclusive, and I think she would’ve stuck to her decision.”
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