World Snooker has defended referee Marcel Eckardt after the longest frame in Crucible history, lasting 100 minutes and 21 seconds, marred the semi-final between Mark Allen and Wu Yize on Friday. The 14th frame saw eight red balls block a corner pocket, with no ball potted for 55 minutes, leading to frustration from the Sheffield crowd and calls for a restart.
Six-time world champion Steve Davis labelled the frame 'an embarrassment to snooker' and urged action from the referees' and players' associations. However, World Snooker stated that 'the rule was applied correctly' by Eckardt, who allowed play to continue until Allen fouled and nudged the black in.
Seven-time champion Stephen Hendry disagreed, saying the referee should have intervened, while 2024 champion Kyren Wilson and 1991 winner John Parrott also criticised the decision not to stop the frame earlier. The session ended 7-7, with the resumption of the other semi-final delayed.
Allen and Wu will continue their first-to-17 match on Saturday at 10am.
