{"id":8273,"date":"2026-04-27T20:41:41","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T20:41:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=8273"},"modified":"2026-04-27T20:41:41","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T20:41:41","slug":"chris-wakelin-speaks-out-on-foul-controversy-during-neil-robertson-defeat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=8273","title":{"rendered":"Chris Wakelin speaks out on foul controversy during Neil Robertson defeat"},"content":{"rendered":"

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A controversial foul call went against Chris Wakelin at the Crucible (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Chris Wakelin is still not sure he fouled after a controversial call during defeat to Neil Robertson, but accepts the decision and admits he did not deserve to win.<\/p>\n

Robertson was 7-6 ahead when Wakelin knocked in a long red, cueing close to the yellow as he did.<\/p>\n

Referee Peggy Li called a foul on Wakelin, who jumped up and looked surprised at the call.<\/p>\n

Li said the Monster had touched the yellow with his cue, but was happy to look at video replays, which were inconclusive.<\/p>\n

With no further evidence, the referee stuck with her decision and Robertson knocked in a break of 65 to go two frames clear.<\/p>\n

Wakelin would win just one more frame in the match as Robertson powered to a 13-7 win, making two centuries on a burst to the winning line.<\/p>\n

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Phil has been reporting on snooker for over a decade, since working in World Snooker’s press office in 2012<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

In defeat, the Scottish Open champion accepted he did not play to a standard to beat the former Crucible conqueror, but the call on the foul was still bothering him.<\/p>\n

\u2018I thought I played like an absolute berk if I\u2019m being truthfully honest,\u2019 said Wakelin. \u2018It was just a really frustrating day yesterday, what happened in the 14th frame.<\/p>\n

\u2018I don\u2019t think that had an impact on me over the next few frames, but it definitely had an impact on Neil. Going 7-7, he still needs to try and establish a lead, but going 8-6 it meant that he can relax, knowing he\u2019s not going to be behind going into today. <\/p>\n

\u2018I don\u2019t normally come away from matches in recent years, anything other than just philosophical. Yesterday did get to me and that probably has cost me.<\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019ve watched it back a hundred times and I\u2019d have my house that it weren\u2019t a foul, but it\u2019s one of them, it\u2019s frustrating. The bottom line is I\u2019ve got nothing against Peggy, she\u2019s a brilliant referee, but I just didn\u2019t play well enough, so I\u2019ll go back to the drawing board for next season.<\/p>\n

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Neil Robertson powered to victory after the controversy (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018I don\u2019t think it necessarily had an impact on the next couple of frames from my point of view, but it just meant that he was a lot more relaxed. When you give one of the best players in the world the tools to do the job, then they quite often produce.\u2019<\/p>\n

While frustration remains, Wakelin ultimately does accept the referee\u2019s call, given she was in the best place to make it.<\/p>\n

\u2018She was in the best position to see,\u2019 he said. \u2018I was looking at the red because it was a difficult pot anyway, so I wasn\u2019t even looking at the white ball or the yellow.<\/p>\n

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