Meet Desislava Bozhilova: World Snooker Championship final referee who was told 'just chill' by Ronnie O'Sullivan

Daily Record

04-05-2025

Bulgarian Bozhilova will become the first woman to take charge of all three Triple Crown finals
All eyes will be on the two players, but the World Snooker Championship final will also be the biggest day of Desislava Bozhilova's career.
The Bulgarian referee will take charge of the final of snooker's biggest event, and is renowned as one of the most respected officials in the game.
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However her backstory includes a memorable disagreement with Ronnie O'Sullivan - and even telling some excitable commentators to tone it down during a match.
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The 32-year-old will become the first woman to have taken charge of the final of all three Triple Crown events, having previously officiated the final of the Masters and the UK Championship in 2022."
She will become just the second woman to take charge of the world final, after Michaela Tabb who donned the white gloves in 2009 and 2012.
Bozhilova first worked on the Tour at a PTC event in Sofia in 2012, and quickly advanced through the ranks to become one of the sport's best respected referees.
She took charge of a Crucible semi-final for the first time in 2022 when Judd Trump edged out Mark Williams 17-16, and will now make the step up to snooker's biggest match.
Speaking about joining the elite list of World Championship final referees, Bozhilova said: "I am really excited, it was an amazing feeling when I was given the news
"It is what I have worked towards for many years, it has been my dream. It will be different to any other final because of the atmosphere at the Crucible.
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"Since I started working in snooker I have learned everything from the more experienced referees. They give advice and tell us how to improve. There is a lot of team work and we support each other."
It hasn't all been plain-sailing however, and no-nonsense Desislava doesn't care if you're a competitor or a commentator when it comes to laying down the law.
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Back in 2022, she told off BBC commentators for being too loud during a semi-final clash between Judd Trump and Mark Williams.
On rival broadcaster Eurosport, the commentators said: "Just a bit of noise coming from the host broadcaster's studio. Desislava banged on the window and told them to keep quiet. That's the way to do it."
And last year Ronnie O'Sullivan told Bozhilova to 'chill' during the final session of his quarter-final against Stuart Bingham after he refused to come to the table while fans watching the match on the other side of the arena trickled in.
She gestured to O'Sullivan to come back to the table, but the seven-time world champion remained unconvinced.
'But we might wait 20 minutes,' Bozhilova said. 'It's not 20 minutes. Just chill, chill,' O'Sullivan replied. 'I'm chilled,' added the irate ref.
The Rocket had also turned down a red in the 12th frame after being left displeased with how the black had been re-spotted earlier in the match.