SNOOKER star Mark Williams was handed a seven-point penalty for breaking a little-known rule as his bizarre joke backfired.
The incident occurred during Williams’ 4-1 World Grand Prix win over Hossein Vafaei.
During the fifth frame, ref Olivier Marteel was replacing the balls when Williams decided to play a prank.
The three-time world champ, 48, cheekily picked up the cue ball before hiding it in his pocket.
Those watching in the crowd found it hilarious, with many snooker fans laughing.
But commentators for ITV immediately voiced concerns that Williams would be punished for handling the ball.
One said: “Why’s he got the cue ball in his pocket? I’m not actually sure if he’s allowed to do that. We’re about to find out…”
Their fears were then realised when ref Marteel turned to Williams before hitting him with a seven-point penalty.
The Belgian official said: “You know that’s a penalty seven. It a penalty seven points to Hossein. You touched the ball during a consultation period, it’s in the rules.”
Williams took the punishment in his stride though, saying after his win: “World Snooker say ‘have a bit of fun, try and show your character’ and stuff like that.
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“You do something like that, just to have a bit of fun, because it took him a while to get back, so I picked it up and put it in my pocket, and I got fouled seven for it!
“What do they want? They want you to express yourself and have a bit of fun. When you do it, you get penalty points, so I won’t be doing that again!”
Fans seemed to agree with Williams as one branded the ref a “killjoy.”
Another declared: “Mark is so funny.”
One added: “Those seven points were totally worth it.”
The end of the match was also overshadowed by ugly scenes as Vafaei refused to shake hands with Williams.
The victor added: “I just pulled him up about it and said ‘what’s your problem’, and he said it was because I slapped my leg at the end when I won.
“I slapped my leg at the end because I shouldn’t have gone for the pink, I should have played safe. I thought he would have come back to the table and carried on for snookers.
“That’s why I was a bit fuming. He just stormed off, but if that’s the reason… I don’t care anyway!”
