John Higgins match at German Masters saw controversy as star warned ‘don’t do it again’

John Higgins match at German Masters saw controversy as star warned ‘don’t do it again’

 

 

At the 2026 German Masters snooker tournament in Berlin, veteran Scottish great John Higgins became embroiled in an unusual controversy, with headlines reporting that he was warned “don’t do it again” over his conduct during a match — a phrase that quickly made waves in snooker media and among fans.

The German Masters — one of the sport’s prominent ranking events on the 2025–26 snooker season calendar — attracts the world’s top players to the historic Tempodrom arena, with matches broadcast across major networks. Higgins, a four-time world champion and one of snooker’s most enduring figures, entered the event following a strong run earlier in the season, including reaching the final of the prestigious Masters in January.

What Triggered the Controversy

According to snippets from British news coverage, the incident that sparked the “don’t do it again” warning occurred during one of Higgins’ matches in the German Masters. While the exact words and context of the warning have not been fully published in mainstream reports, several media outlets highlighted that Higgins was admonished during play — something rare at this level of professional snooker.

In top-level snooker, referees and officials generally exert tight control over player behaviour. Warnings typically relate to breaches of conduct rules, such as time limits between shots, inappropriate interaction with spectators, excessive dissent at rulings, or failure to respect the dress code and table etiquette. While players occasionally receive cautions for slow play or procedural breaches, it’s unusual for a high-profile player like Higgins to be singled out mid-match. The reported warning therefore caught the attention of commentators and fans alike.

Unfortunately, as of yet no official statement from the World Snooker Tour (WST) or officiating referee has been published detailing exactly what Higgins did to prompt the warning. Some speculation within snooker circles — including commentary and fan forums — has linked the phrase to either a timing shot clock issue or a perceived display of dissent, but without an authoritative source these remain conjecture.

Higgins’ Reputation and Snooker Etiquette

John Higgins, 50, is widely regarded as one of the all-time greats of the sport. Across a career spanning three decades, he has won multiple Triple Crown titles and has been respected both for tactical brilliance and generally exemplary conduct under pressure. But in snooker history there have been occasions when even top players have been challenged over behaviour. In the past, official warnings and fines have been handed down for slow play, dissent or unsportsmanlike conduct, usually to enforce the strict code of conduct that governs professional snooker.

Prior incidents involving other players show the sport takes such matters seriously — though in many cases, follow-up details are clarified only after the event through official disciplinary statements.

What Happens Next?

At this stage, the snooker world is waiting for more detailed commentary from the World Snooker Tour or tournament officials on the specific nature of Higgins’ warning. Many fans and commentators expect that if the incident involved a breach of rule — for example, ignoring shot clock protocols or excessively questioning an official’s call — a formal explanation or statement will be issued in due course. Until then, the “don’t do it again” phrase remains a curious talking point in the wider narrative of Higgins’ remarkable later-career performances.