Ronnie O'Sullivan could be in hot water with snooker chiefs after he was caught making a lewd gesture on live TV.
The Rocket was taking on David Gilbert in his first round match at the 2022 World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, which he eventually won 10-5.
During the 13th frame, while visibly annoyed at missing a routine black off the spot, O'Sullivan made the gesture which was noticed by some viewers.
One such viewer was fellow pro Matthew Selt, who shared the clip on his Instagram feed, sarcastically adding: "What an ambassador."
O'Sullivan's win was his 70th at the Crucible, tying him level with Stephen Hendry for the most by any player at the sport's spiritual home.
His 30th appearance in Sheffield also matches the tally of Steve Davis, and the 46-year-old is bidding to add a seventh title to his collection having returned to World No.1.
It's not the first time O'Sullivan has found himself in trouble over gestures he has made.
He was fined £2,750 and docked 700 ranking pointes in 2008 after making obscene gestures and comments at a China Open press conference.
Five years later, Crucible referee Michaela Tabb warned O'Sullivan over a gesture he made during his semi-final against Judd Trump.
O'Sullivan made breaks of 122, 64, 104, 66, 54, 58, 109 and 81 to power into the second round having surprisingly trailed 3-0 early in the piece.
“I am not too bothered about the records, I have enough," said the Rocket. "Stephen Hendry was a hero of mine so if I equal his seven world titles great, if not part of me will be happy if he keeps it.
“I have gathered this tool box over the years and I was pulling out spanners, hammers, little Allen keys more mentally than technically. When you’re a grandad like me you draw on your experiences.
“It’s like Gladiator out there. It’s like Russell Crowe…he’s got a hole in his arm, he knows he’s going to die but you just have to find a way sometimes.
"I think I can play on for a lot longer now than I thought I could, I’ll keep hanging around and be a hindrance like maybe Tiger Woods and be a pain to play against.”
