LUCA BRECEL turned up for his Crucible title defence this morning without wearing a bowtie as is tradition and standard practice
Yet the Belgian Bullet was given special dispensation to play his first-round clash on the opening day of the 2024 World Snooker Championship without the important item of clothing.
Bald-headed, brushy-bearded Brecel, 29, rocked up at 10am for his first of two sessions with qualifier David Gilbert in black shirt, waistcoat and trousers.
Yet when he walked into the famous theatre in Sheffield, having been announced the defending champion, the Welsh referee Paul Collier immediately inquired about the top button of his shirt being wide open.
SunSport understands Brecel, the No.1 seed, has a medical exemption because he has been unwell in the build-up to the event.
World Snooker Tour chiefs have accepted his unusual demand and as a result, he will not be fined or sanctioned for missing this key piece of attire.
Most likely, he is the first reigning world champion to play snooker at world level without a dicky bow.
Last year, Brecel became the fourth person in the Crucible era from outside the UK to lift the world championship.
An 18-15 final victory over Mark Selby was stunning reward for an incredible tournament in which he came from behind in the quarters (versus Ronnie O’Sullivan) and semi-finals (versus Si Jiahui).
Brecel leads 6-3 heading into the evening session, having scored breaks of 91, 134, 73 and 104 against the Angry Farmer.
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However, viewers were more concerned about his lack of bowtie than his exploits on the table.
One asked on X: “Why is brecel not wearing a bow tie, looking like a scruff at the world championships?”
Another said: “Not a good look for @WeAreWST when the opening game of the #worldchampionship and Brecel allowed to play with no bow tie.”
While a third called it a “lack of respect”.
It is not the first time that he has hit the headlines over the bow tie.
Brecel has stated that the neckwear has had a negative impact on his game.
He told Metro last year: “The bow tie is just horrible.
By Rob Maul
IF YOU became a world champion of your sport and pocketed £500,000 prize money, how exactly would you celebrate?
Maybe buy a nice car. Treat the missus. Go on a lavish holiday perhaps.
Well, Luca Brecel has done all of that and more – put simply, he’s had the time of his life over these past 12 months.
The Belgian Bullet was crowned King of Sheffield in May 2023 in remarkable fashion, despite no practice and having never won a match at the venue on previous visits.
Brecel immediately splash £250,000, half of his World Champs earnings, on a stunning red Ferrari 488 – which he admits he NEVER drives.
He has since lived the high life, exploring the globe with his girlfriend Laura, piling on the pounds with some fine dining and hangout out with an Arsenal star.
He even lost his Crucible-winning cue.
Click here to find out more about Brecel’s incredible year…
“I lose about 20 per cent of my game when I play with a bow tie and I think there are other players have said it as well backstage.
“Maybe loosen up a bit with the dress code because some shots you feel tight because of the shirt or the trousers and everything.
“I understand it’s an elite sport and it looks good on TV probably, but we need to work something out there.”
When asked on the changes he would like to see introduced, he added: “Other than the dress code, maybe a shot clock, that would be good I think.
“I would have it in any of the tournaments, maybe. Just try to make it more attractive, quicker.”
