Robert Milkins has been fined a total of £7,000 including costs for ‘extreme drunken behaviour at this year’s inaugural Turkish Masters.
The 46-year-old from Gloucester ended up in hospital in Antalya with a cut face and having his stomach pumped after a birthday bender turned sour. Milkins arrived already very drunk at the glitzy red-carpet bash on the eve of the first ranking event to be staged on Turkish soil.
The player known as ‘The Milkman’ became embroiled in an altercation with guests at the swanky five-star Nirvana Cosmopolitan hotel on the Mediterranean coast. And as WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson attempted to help him, Milkins fell in the gents toilets - splitting his chin open in the process. He was then rushed to a nearby hospital.
Shortly after the tournament in Antalya world No27 Milkins went on to win the first ranking title of his career at the Gibraltar Open. And after that success in March Milkins admitted that his mental health had been in a poor state this year after family bereavements both in his earlier and more recent life.
The player, who issued a genuine and contrite apology to the authorities and the Turkish event hosts at the time, had been receiving counselling following events in early March.
Prior to the Turkish Masters Milkins had won just £10,000 all season, leaving him in fear over how he would pay any potential fine. But winning the tournament in Gibraltar earned him £50,000, and he added another £15,000 to that by almost making it to the Crucible and the World Championships.
Milkins said at the time: “I drank far too much, and something happened. I genuinely don’t know exactly what and cannot remember details - I was in a state where I didn’t know where I was.
“It was my birthday and I had been drinking for a long time but that is no excuse and I know that. I don’t know why, I did all this when I was in my 20s.
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“I don’t remember what happened with the hotel guests or Jason Ferguson – none of it. I can only apologise to any guests I offended that night. I wouldn’t have known who it was.
“And I have apologised to the organisers and the hotel. It is the first time snooker has come to Turkey and my behaviour was totally out of order.
“When I got to the toilet I lost my legs and think I hit my chin on the sink or the ground, cutting it open. I was almost knocked out, and I’m pretty sure I have broken ribs.
“If I had my stomach pumped I don’t remember that either. And Jimmy Robertson, who I was sharing with, brought me back.
“It was touch and go whether or not I would be thrown out of the tournament before I even played my match. I told them I didn’t really want to be here after what happened.
“I love it in Turkey, I have been on holiday here before and I just hope they let me back and didn’t come here looking to upset anyone.
“I can understand why people are embarrassed and concerned and I will have to take whatever punishment I receive. It won’t be happening again, anyway.
“I don’t care about myself these days, I only play to try and support my kids at the moment. And I have let them down as well, which is the worst and most important bit.”
