Snooker fans were treated to a fiery encounter at the Shanghai Masters as Mark Allen and Ali Carter's match took a dramatic turn. The Northern Irishman didn't hold back in his criticism of Carter following what he perceived as a disrespectful incident during their last-16 clash.
The Flashpoint That Sparked Outrage
The controversy erupted when Carter, trailing 3-5, attempted a shot that saw the cue ball fly off the table. Allen later revealed this wasn't the first such incident in the match, claiming Carter had shown a lack of respect for the game and his opponent.
"I thought it was disgraceful," Allen fumed after his 6-3 victory. "To do it once is bad enough, but twice in one match? That's just disrespectful to me and to the sport."
Allen's Dominant Performance
Despite the drama, Allen produced some impressive snooker, including breaks of 100, 90 and 89. The world number three showed why he's considered one of the form players this season, though the post-match discussion focused more on the incident than his quality play.
Carter's Response
Carter, who had reached the final of the British Open just days earlier, offered little comment on the incident. The Englishman's focus now shifts to regrouping after this controversial exit from the prestigious Shanghai tournament.
What's Next for Both Players?
Allen progresses to face either Jack Lisowski or John Higgins in the quarter-finals, while Carter will look to put this incident behind him as the snooker calendar continues its busy Asian swing.
