'It’s not a lot to ask' - Ronnie O'Sullivan urges photographer to be more professional after UK Championship altercation

Updated 03/12/2021 at 18:58 GMT

"I’ve said that unless they have a tripod they are not welcome,” O’Sullivan told Eurosport following his 6-5 loss to Kyren Wilson at the UK Champioship. “It’s not a lot to ask, if you are a cameraman it should be standard stuff to be carrying about so maybe he should go to the professional and get his kit right.”

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Ronnie O’Sullivan has called on a photographer he had ejected from the Barbican to be more professional in his behaviour.

Mid-way through his UK Championship quarter-final with Kyren Wilson, O’Sullivan called over referee Jan Verhaas and asked for a camera operator to be removed.

O’Sullivan was unhappy because the snapper had a camera in hand rather than being on a tripod, and asked for the individual to be removed.

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"I’ve said that unless they have a tripod they are not welcome,” O’Sullivan told Eurosport. “It’s not a lot to ask, if you are a cameraman it should be standard stuff to be carrying about so maybe he should go to the professionals and get his kit right.”

O’Sullivan rallied from 5-3 down before losing 6-5, and expressed pride with how he played.

“I just wasn't good enough, wasn't clinical enough,”he said. “That’s what you have to be and maybe that’s what happens as you get a bit older, as you miss a few too many balls.

“I am still proud of myself, I made a game of it and made it interesting.”

O’Sullivan halted play on a number of occasions due to distractions in the crowd, and he said: “I am good with loads of movement, or no movement. I just can’t do both.”

The seven-time winner of the event was not downbeat about missing out on a spot in the semi-finals.

“I refuse to allow myself to go down that place any more,” he said. “I’ve said this is a platform.

“I enjoy playing, I enjoy competing but I have other more important things going on and part of my business plan, as long as things remain as is and everything is good, then I am happy to play. If not, I will put my cue down, be on the road playing some exhibitions and having fun.”