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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.
Metro
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
What the strange Mark Williams vs Hossein Vafaei Grand Prix clash was all about
Mark Williams and Hossein Vafaei meet in the second round of the World Snooker Championship this week, their first clash since a strange incident last year. The pair have not met since January 2024 when Williams beat Vafaei 4-1 in the last 16 of the World Grand Prix in Leicester. The Welshman was in fine form, knocking in breaks of 108, 76 and 75, but there was heat between the two at the end of the contest as the Iranian shook hands with the referee but not with his opponent and stormed out of the arena. The crowd booed and Williams looked baffled at the snub as he followed Vafaei away from the table. It turned out that the Iranian was annoyed with the Welsh Potting Machine because when Williams missed a pink at the end of the match, when Vafaei needed snookers, he slapped his own leg in annoyance. The three-time world champion said he did so because he thought Vafaei would return to play for snookers, but instead the Prince of Persia saw it as disrespectful. Williams told ITV at the time: 'I just pulled him up about it there and said, 'What's your problem?' 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 and I thought he would have come back to the table and carried on for snookers. 'That's why I was a bit fuming, I shouldn't have gone for the pink and I knew it and he just stormed up. He said that's the reason, if that's the reason, pfft, I don't care anyway.' Williams was not impressed, adding on social media: 'Unreal, didn't know what was happening. I was a good admirer of his game as well, all my family liked him, not sure they do after that now.' Vafaei was asked about the incident a few months later when he qualified for the 2024 World Championship and sounded regretful, but felt that Williams was being disrespectful at the time. 'Mark Williams! Yeah he's very funny and I love him, I respect him,' he said. 'I have to say sorry to him. He's older than me, I shouldn't do that. 'Everyone gets angry, you know. I love him. He's brilliant. I was thinking when he slapped his leg, every time he beat me he slapped his leg, like 'this is another slap,' I was thinking that way. But I don't want to disrespect him. It's hard not love Mark Williams, he's brilliant player.' After Vafaei beat Barry Hawkins to set up his clash with Williams at the Crucible, which starts on Friday, he was asked if he has spoken to the three-time world champion since their thigh-slapping beef. 'No not really, I didn't speak much with other players,' he said. 'But past is past, we both done something. Why should we bring the past again? Something is gone, it's gone. 'If he remembered, I have to learn the respect from him. I don't want to talk about it too much. Mark is Mark, I have to accept Mark Williams like this. He's a legend of our sport. If I don't respect him…I am younger, that was my mistake. I have to respect him. Even if he slaps me, because he is older than me. I have to accept it. 'I don't want to talk about it. I don't want you to bring something old up again and [put it] all over the news. 'I think our sport don't need negative things, our sport needs something special, nice words, so other players learn how to respect each other like tennis players.' Williams and Vafaei play over three sessions, starting on Friday morning for a place in the Crucible quarter-finals. MORE: Judd Trump and Ronnie O'Sullivan agree on the standout young British snooker talent MORE: John Higgins explains what has changed during his brilliant return to form MORE: Mark Allen speaks out on awful social media abuse and baffling lack of consequences
Daily Record
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
World Snooker Championship star's outburst divides fans as BBC commentator makes thoughts known
Hossein Vafaei let out a loud cheer during his World Snooker Championship first round win over Barry Hawkins, with commentator Dennis Taylor questioning the reaction In a gripping contest, Vafaei clinched a place in the second round of the World Snooker Championship with a 10-9 win. For the first time in the match, Vafaei took the lead in the decisive final frame after an intense exchange of wins across the previous 18 frames. The moment that caught attention within the Crucible's commentary was Vafaei's exuberant cheer of: "Come on!" following a successful red during his 50 break in the 19th frame. The celebratory outburst left Taylor questioning the timing whilst commentating for the BBC, and has also seen fans online split. "Oh, that's a little bit premature. I know he does get emotional, but he isn't over the line just yet," exclaimed Taylor after Vafaei's loud scream. Nevertheless, Vafaei did triumph in the frame and match, advancing to the next phase of the championship and crushing a hopeful Hawkins, reports the Express. During the post-match debrief, Vafaei was questioned about his outburst, and he explained: "In that moment my mind went negative, so I had to turn something around to tell myself. "I had to let something go and let my animal come out again. That was a little treat to my mind. Don't stop me please! Let me go! Let me please go! When you get close to over the line, this is the way people make mistakes." Post-match, Vafaei made a point of clarifying to his opponent Hawkins that the outburst was not personal, as he revealed: "[I told him] 'This is nothing about you, mate. I couldn't handle it, I was under lots of pressure.' "All the way I was down. 1-0, until 8-7 until 9-8 I was all the way down, so what can I do? Up, down, up, down. I did it 10 times. I had to show some emotion otherwise I'm not human. "I am human! I had to show some emotion to the people, to the fans," he concluded. "It's going to be boring [otherwise], people want to see this." Next up for Vafaei is a clash with Mark Williams in the following round, after the Welsh player defeated Wu Yize to secure his place in round two. Yet, fans online are divided over whether Vafaei's act was a positive or negative - as Taylor felt it was. One concurred with Taylor, writing: "Too early, and embarrassing!" While another issued a more critical response, posting: "Total idiot. There's another match just a few feet away. This is snooker - audience members will get kicked out if they eat their snacks too loud, or move slightly when in the players' eye-line. And this guy belts that out like it's a football match. Strong player, but zero class." Alas, not all felt as though the Iranian's cry was negative, with one posting: "Love this. Love his attitude, snooker needs more players like him." And one more saying: "We all say snooker lacks characters, he's just getting himself going and shown emotion, nothing wrong with that."
Daily Mirror
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
World Snooker Championship star makes controversial outburst as Dennis Taylor weighs in
Hossein Vafaei let out a loud cheer during the 19th frame of his match against Barry Hawkins, with BBC commentator Dennis Taylor questioning the emotion as the frame was not yet wrapped up Dennis Taylor raised questions about Hossein Vafaei's"emotional" response during his nail-biting victory over Barry Hawkins at the World Snooker Championship. Vafaei, who has never made it past the second round of the tournament, only took the lead in the very last frame, ultimately clinching a 10-9 win to progress. The match was a close run thing throughout, with Vafaei and Hawkins battling through all 18 frames before Vafaei emerged victorious in the final moments of the contest. However, it was Vafaei's reaction during the 19th frame that caught attention at the Crucible Theatre, as he let out an exuberant "Come on!" after potting a red to reach a 50 break. Commentator Taylor seemed slightly puzzled by the premature celebration, which has split fans online. "Oh, that's a little bit premature. I know he does get emotional, but he isn't over the line just yet," Taylor exclaimed whilst on commentary duty for the BBC. Despite the early cheer, Vafaei did indeed secure the frame and the match, booking his place in the next round whilst breaking the heart of his opponent Hawkins. The motive behind the outburst was naturally questioned in the post-match discussion, and Vafaei responded: "In that moment my mind went negative, so I had to turn something around to tell myself, I had to let something go and let my animal come out again. "That was a little treat to my mind. Don't stop me please! Let me go! Let me please go! When you get close to over the line, this is the way people make mistakes." Vafaei also made sure his outburst wasn't taken personally by his opponent Hawkins, telling the English player after their encounter: "[I told him] 'This is nothing about you, mate. I couldn't handle it, I was under lots of pressure.' "All the way I was down. 1-0, until 8-7 until 9-8 I was all the way down, so what can I do? Up, down, up, down. I did it 10 times. I had to show some emotion otherwise I'm not human. "I am human! I had to show some emotion to the people, to the fans," he concluded. "It's going to be boring [otherwise], people want to see this." Looking ahead, Vafaei is set to face off against Mark Williams, who secured his place in round two after defeating Wu Yize - though viewers online were quick to be divided by the premature celebration, which was slightly frowned upon by Taylor. One agreed with Taylor, writing: "Too early, and embarrassing!" While another issued a far more critical response, posting: "Total idiot. There's another match just a few feet away. This is snooker - audience members will get kicked out if they eat their snacks too loud, or move slightly when in the players' eye-line. And this guy belts that out like it's a football match. Strong player, but zero class." However, not everyone felt as though the Iranian's cry was inherently negative, with one posting: "Love this. Love his attitude, snooker needs more players like him." And one more saying: "We all say snooker lacks characters, he's just getting himself going and shown emotion, nothing wrong with that."
