Snooker feuds that went nuclear – from Ronnie O’Sullivan’s bitter 3-year fallout to bizarre cake stunt & shock punch-ups

RONNIE O’Sullivan has found himself in the centre of yet another snooker controversy after lambasting his opponent in a post-match interview. 

The eight-time Masters champion, 48, slammed Ali Carter – who lost in the 10-7 final clash – branding him “a nightmare” and “not a nice person”.

Pixel8000Ronnie O’Sullivan branded Ali Carter ‘a f***ing nightmare’ in a post-match interview. Pictured, the pair appear to barge together during a 2018 contest[/caption]

It’s claimed Cliff Thorbun slammed Alex Higgins’ face into a cake during one bust upPA

Ronnie said: “He needs to sort his f***ing life out. I’m not going to skirt around it anymore, tip-toeing on eggshells around someone like that. He’s a f***ing nightmare.”

The expletive-laden rant risks reopening old wounds from their notorious 2018 World Championship clash where the players barged into each other. 

And Ronnie doesn’t seem to be pulling any punches, insisting Ali has “got beef” with him before he stuck up his middle finger up and said his rival could “have one of them”.

It’s one of many explosive moments to unfold in snooker, from a star who was allegedly slammed into a cake another who lashed out at officials… quite literally.

Cliff Thorburn and Alex Higgins

Tensions had been brewing for a while between Eighties snooker favourites Cliff Thorburn and the late Alex ‘Hurricane’ Higgins when they came to blows. 

The pair were tied 16-16 at the World Championship Final, back in 1980, when Alex allegedly ordered a celebratory cake into Cliff’s room during the interval.

The fuming player wasn’t impressed and is said to have slammed his rival’s face into the gift.

Cliff went on to win the championship 18-16, but the feud didn’t end there. 

In 1983, during the Irish Open, Alex told his rival that he was “s*** at snooker” and labelled him a “Canadian c***”. 

It’s claimed Cliff kicked Alex in the crotch when those nearby tried to encourage them to shake hands. 

Later while reflecting on his career, Cliff told The Daily Mail that “aggravation just seemed to follow [Alex] around”.

He added: “I don’t know why he was the way he was and I still wonder how he could play so well. But I think I bothered him.”

Quinten Hann v Andy Hicks

PA:Press AssociationA near-fight between Quinten Hann and Andy Hicks had to be broken up by the ref[/caption]

YouTubeIt followed an exchange of verbal barbs from the pair[/caption]

A snarky comment led to a tussle between Quinten Hann and Andy Hicks back at the 2004 World Championship.

Quinten needed to beat his rival in order to remain in the top-16 rankings but lost in a gutting 10-4 defeat.   

After Andy prevailed, while shaking hand he allegedly gloated: “That’s you out of the top 16.”

Quinten is believed to have responded: “You’re short and bald and always will be, and I’ll fight you in the street for 50 grand any time you like.”

The cutting words led to a tussle in the Crucible that had to be split up by the referee.

Despite their rivalry, Quinten actually went on to have a boxing match with another rival – Mark King – instead of Andy, and he won on points during a six-minute fight. 

Ronnie O’Sullivan v Stephen Hendry 

Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O’Sullivan’s clash ended with him leaving mid-matchBBC

BBCRonnie stormed off and conceded the match[/caption]

At the 2006 UK Championships, Ronnie O’Sullivan was seen to have delivered the ultimate sign of disrespect to his rival Stephen Hendry.

When ‘the Rocket’ was 4-0 down, he decided to pack up his cue, shake his opponent’s hand and concede the match by walking out.

Recalling the incident, Ronnie said: “My head was gone. I wasn’t playing well and I didn’t want to be there. I shook hands and walked out.”

Later, the snooker ace would say it came during a dark time when he was struggling to “ignore the voice” in his head that said he was “rubbish”.

Ronnie, who said he felt “the devil inside me” during those times revealed in 2010: “After I walked last time, Stephen – who is one of my heroes – fell out with me and didn’t talk to me for about three years.”

Alex Higgins v officials

AlamyAlex Higgins with official Paul Hatherell, who he punched at a press conference[/caption]

Alex Higgins had many rivals during his 26 years in the sport. 

But during the 1990 World Snooker Championship, it was officials who ended up on the wrong side of the star.

It followed Alex getting dumped out of the tournament by Steve James in the first round. 

The star, who was already in trouble for threatening Dennis Taylor, was heavily intoxicated when he arrived to a post-match press conference. 

There he “wallopped” WPBSA press officer Colin Randle in the stomach before announcing his retirement from snooker. 

Alex allegedly told Colin: “I don’t have to take any more nonsense off people like you because I’m retiring.”

He was suspended for a year after the incident and docked so many points that he fell to 120 in the rankings.

It wasn’t the only time Alex had attacked an official either. He was banned from five tournaments in 1986 and fined £12,000 for headbutting tournament director Paul Hatherall.

He also punched referee Terry Riley in the stomach after he called a fault against him during a charity match back in 2007.

Furious Terry reportedly said at the time: “It was a punch and officials are not there to be punched.”

Jimmy White vs Matthew Stevens 

PA:Press AssociationFurious Jimmy White knocked a snooker ball off the table during a clash with Matthew Stevens in 2002[/caption]

youtubeHe slammed the white ball (above), which spun off the table[/caption]

YoutubeJimmy later apologised for the incident, which ended with the ball (far right) heading off the table[/caption]

In 2002, Jimmy White’s bad behaviour led to him apologising during the Embassy World Championship. 

He was losing 6-2 against Matthew Stevens when he missed a simple shot and saw red. 

The player smashed the cue ball into the black, sending both of the balls spinning off the table. 

The following day Jimmy said in a statement: “I would like to apologise for the way I reacted… It was caused by sheer frustration and was completely out of character.”

He ended up losing 13-3 after the second day of their clash, which sent Matthew to the quarter-finals.