Ronnie O’Sullivan deliberately breaks snooker rules – then pretends to be shocked.

Ronnie O’Sullivan deliberately breaks snooker rules – then pretends to be shocked.

 

 

In a turn of events that combined both mischief and mastery, the seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan caused a stir at the 2025 International Championship in Nanjing, China. During his second-round match against Jack Lisowski, O’Sullivan intentionally committed a foul — and then acted as though he was taken by surprise.

The moment that raised eyebrows

With the match delicately poised (eventually ending 6-5 in Lisowski’s favour), O’Sullivan produced a century break (103) to bring himself back into contention.

But the real highlight came in the following frame. Having used the mechanical bridge for a difficult shot, O’Sullivan jokingly lifted both feet off the ground before taking it — a clear breach of snooker’s rules that require at least one foot to remain on the floor when using a bridge. The referee immediately penalised the foul. What made it more striking was that O’Sullivan feigned astonishment, gesturing as if the decision had caught him totally off guard.

Crowd reaction and context

The audience, rather than being outraged, seemed to take it in good humour — laughter followed by an appreciative applause at O’Sullivan’s cheeky antics. Despite the foul, the match remained tight and competitive until the final frame.

Though O’Sullivan lost, he maintained his signature calm and playful demeanour. The episode raises interesting questions about the interplay between entertainment and professionalism in elite sport.

What it tells us about O’Sullivan

1. Confidence – O’Sullivan clearly felt secure enough in his game and status to perform such a stunt mid-match.

2. Showmanship – This wasn’t simply a lapse: it felt like a deliberate moment of theatre, one that played to the crowd as much as the table.

3. Rule awareness – He knew exactly what he was doing. The rule regarding feet and mechanical bridge is well-known. The fact he then pretended surprise indicates the whole moment was calculated.

Repercussions & possible fallout

While the moment was amusing, it may provoke responses from the governing bodies. Intentional fouls—even staged ones—can undermine the integrity of the sport’s competitive element. Fans and officials might ask: does this kind of act detract from the seriousness of the event? On the other hand, it also reinforces O’Sullivan’s status as the sport’s entertainer-in-chief, someone who will bend the boundaries while still performing at top level.

Why this matters

With O’Sullivan still chasing his 42nd ranking title, moments like this add colour to his campaign, but also increase scrutiny.

For snooker as a whole, this incident highlights a tension between maintaining strict competitive standards and embracing personality and spectacle.

For spectators, such moments can be a talking point, drawing attention to the sport beyond just the potting of balls.

In summary

Ronnie O’Sullivan’s deliberate foul — followed by his theatrically shocked reaction — is emblematic of his unique blend of elite athletic skill and boundary-pushing personality. While he continues to notch high breaks and fight for titles, he also reminds us that he operates on his own terms: entertaining, unpredictable, and always worth watching.