Ronnie O’Sullivan’s World Open qualifying match with Alfie Burden was delayed after the Rocket took his shoes off during their match. The recent Masters and World Grand Prix champion lost the fourth frame and was due to break off in the fifth, but prompted an unlikely stoppage in play.
Burden had drawn level at 2-2 with a break of 57 after O’Sullivan could not go any further from his initial 44. He then took his time returning to the table, and the free-flowing match experienced a delay before the Rocket put his shoes back on to break off.
O’Sullivan’s opponent was in the middle of his break when O’Sullivan removed his footwear, which is far from the traditional dress shoes that snooker players often don during matches.
Instead, the 48-year-old has been playing with black trainers due to a foot injury. “I’ve got plantar fasciitis which is, the easiest way to explain it is, it’s like a bruise on your heel,” he said in November. “So when you put your foot down, it’s really sore. Leather-soled shoes just absolutely batter my feet to pieces. So I’ve had to resort to getting some really big old soles on them, just to sort of give my foot a rest, basically.”
O’Sullivan requires special permission to wear his trainers over formal shoes because of his injury, but the World Snooker Tour (WST) are unlikely to have sanctioned the icon removing his footwear entirely.
O’Sullivan has obtained special permission from the WST to wear his trainers, as their rules state: “Formal shoes that must not expose the feet and of a style that is befitting whilst wearing a Dress or Lounge suit, constructed with a traditional heel profile and dress soles (commando or lug soles are not permitted).
“Loafers (horsebit, tassel or penny) and men’s dress boots are permitted but must have a traditional heel profile. Sport shoes, high boots and shoes with a complete flat sole are not acceptable. Shoes must be clean.”
But after getting his trainers back on, the stop in play appeared to aid O’Sullivan as he returned with a 67 break to regain his lead. However, Burden hit back with a century break to tie once again.
In a match that went back and forth, O’Sullivan then took advantage in the seventh frame after a poor safety attempt from Burden to rack up an 83 break before taking the next frame to seal his place in the World Open, which is held in China in March.
