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Wales Online
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
'What's your problem?' - Mark Williams wasn't impressed with World Snooker star's snub
'What's your problem?' - Mark Williams wasn't impressed with World Snooker star's snub Hossein Vafaei and Mark Williams are set to renew their rivalry at the 2025 World Snooker Championship, 15 months on from a heated clash at the World Grand Prix Hossein Vafaei said he rejected Mark Williams' handshake because he slapped his leg in frustration (Image: WST/YouTube ) Snooker ace Mark Williams and Hossein Vafaei are staging a much-anticipated reunion at the 2025 World Snooker Championship. The two square off in the second round, a little more than one year after their fiery encounter at the 2024 World Grand Prix. Williams, 50, appeared visibly irked when Vafaei bypassed the traditional handshake following their battle at the 2024 World Grand Prix. 'The Welsh Potting Machine' had just defeated 'The Prince of Persia' in the tournament's last 16 when an unexpected drama unfolded. Vafaei conceded the match while 3-1 down, leaving the table promptly after Williams missed the pink. And he only acknowledged referee Olivier Marteel after ignoring his opponent on his way out of the arena. Article continues below The crowd voiced their support for Williams and booed Vafaei's breach of sportsmanship. And the former later lifted the lid on Vafaei's explanation after the pair discussed the drama. "I just pulled him up about it and said, 'What's your problem?'" he said after the match. "And he said it was because I slapped my leg at the end, when I won." After failing to pot the pink and critiquing his own performance with a slap of the leg, Williams found himself at the centre of the controversy. Many considered Vafaei's response to the situation an overreaction, dismissing it as no excuse for ignoring standard courtesies. Williams appeared frustrated at the time but later insisted he "didn't care" about Vafaei's show of disrespect (Image: WST/YouTube ) "I slapped my leg at the end because I shouldn't have gone for the pink," added Williams. "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!" It's not uncommon for players to continue their break attempts even when the result is already decided. No player is obliged to play on if they believe a comeback isn't possible, although the traditional handshake is usually observed regardless of the outcome. Vafaei, it appears, didn't adhere to this convention and set the scene for an eagerly awaited rematch in Sheffield. The two haven't faced each other since their clash 15 months ago, where Williams scored a century break on his way to a decisive win. The Gwent native has triumphed in six out of seven matches against The Prince of Persia so far. He most notably beat Vafaei in the semi-finals of the 2023 British Open before securing the title in Cheltenham. 'The Welsh Potting Machine' is a three-time world snooker champion (Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire ) Article continues below Vafaei's sole victory over Williams was significant, however, as he won in a final to become the 2022 Shoot Out champion. However, Williams hopes to prove that he still has his number in Sheffield. Iranian Vafaei has already made waves at this year's World Championship. He once again faced criticism for expressing his excitement with a shout after potting a crucial ball in a tight 10-9 first-round victory over Barry Hawkins. He later defended his actions and said this kind of emotion is exactly what fans "want to see." However, his outburst sparked an online debate that suggests not everyone agrees with that sentiment.
Daily Mirror
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Mark Williams asked 'what's your problem?' after World Snooker star's handshake snub
Mark Williams will be reunited with Hossein Vafaei at the 2025 World Snooker Championship, more than a year on from their handshake snub drama at the 2024 World Grand Prix Welsh snooker whiz Mark Williams is on a collision course with Hossein Vafaei, one year after the pair had a heated clash at the table. The duo will square off in the second round of the 2025 World Snooker Championship, with their match set to get underway on Friday. Veteran Williams, 50, took umbrage with Vafaei's lack of respect after the Iranian rejected his handshake following their duel at the 2024 World Grand Prix. 'The Welsh Potting Machine' had just ousted 'The Prince of Persia' from the competition's second round. And Vafaei, 30, sparked outrage when he conceded at 3-1 down in their last-16 clash when Williams failed to sink the pink ball. The former gave his thanks to referee Olivier Marteel but then headed straight for the Morningside Arena exit without acknowledging his opponent. The audience came to Williams' defence by jeering the often controversial Vafaei for his lack of etiquette. And Williams explained the supposed reason for the snub after Vafaei explained his actions. "I just pulled him up about it and said, 'What's your problem?'" he told reporters after the match. "And he said it was because I slapped my leg at the end, when I won." Williams had slapped his leg in frustration and missing his attempt on the pink and saw his break fall short. And many agreed that was hardly sufficient reason for his foe to do away with the usual formalities. "I slapped my leg at the end because I shouldn't have gone for the pink," he continued. "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!" It's nothing new for players to carry on their break attempts when a result is already in the bag. At the same time, no player is compelled to play on when they believe a comeback isn't on the cards, though the customary handshake is often respected regardless of that outcome. Not for Vafaei, it seems, which sets the stage for a much-anticipated reunion in Sheffield. The pair haven't met since that showdown 15 months ago, where Williams racked up one century break en route to a conclusive victory. The Welshman has won six of his seven encounters with The Prince of Persia to date, most notably beating him in the semi-finals of the 2023 British Open before he claimed the title in Cheltenham. Vafaei's sole win over Williams was notable, however, winning in a final to be crowned 2022 Shoot Out champion. Vafaei has already made headlines at this year's World Championship. He once again copped criticism for letting out a cry of excitement when sinking a crucial pot in a narrow 10-9 first-round win over Barry Hawkins. He later defended his actions and said that's precisely the kind of thing fans "want to see." The outburst divided opinion, however, as some suggested to the contrary.
