Shaun Murphy pleaded ignorance after being called out for a perceived act of hypocrisy in his World Snooker Championship clash with Judd Trump.
Shaun Murphy made a controversial move against Judd Trump (Image: PA)
Shaun Murphy has owned up to a World Snooker Championship blunder after playing on while needing five snookers against Judd Trump. The Magician has been an advocate of a rule change that would see frames ended when they’re mathematically over.
Back in 2023, he posted on social media: “Unpopular opinion time… I think we should remove playing for snookers from the game. Once the frame is over mathematically, it’s over. What do you think?” But he failed to follow his own pleas on Sunday in his second-round clash with Trump, who was set to draw level at 3-3 after taking a 71-point lead in the sixth. It was then that Murphy surprisingly stood up to play on, raising eyebrows all around the Crucible.
The confusion was summed up by TNT Sports commentators David Hendon and Neal Foulds. “I thought he was going to concede,” Foulds said. “He was sat in his seat for what felt like an eternity. I’m not sure if he fooled [referee] Rob Spencer.”
Hendon replied: “I think Rob was about to get the balls off and start setting up again.” Trump was back at the table after one shot and fluked a red into the right middle pocket.
“The frame is over now and maybe Judd thought he should have conceded, Murphy, and decided to whack the balls as hard as he could,” Foulds added. The situation was later cleared up by Murphy following the conclusion of the first session.
