World Snooker Championship: ‘No will’ to pursue rule change over controversial Mark Williams break-off

The controversial break-off is legal but has been described as “just so negative”

Mark Williams advanced to the second round on Wednesday (Getty Images)

Snooker’s world governing body has denied it has plans to ban Mark Williams’ controversial break-off shot despite consultations with top players and its own Rules Committee.

Williams expressed anger over an email sent by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association [WPBSA] Players’ Association courting opinion over his shot, in which he plays the cue ball off the bottom cushion and gently into the pack of reds.

Speaking after Wednesday’s night’s win over Sam Craigie in the World Championship first round, Williams derided the “farcical” email and added: “There are a lot more things to worry about than my poxy break-off.”

In a statement to the PA news agency, the WPBSA confirmed the existence of the email but said that following discussions at the behest of some players, it does not intend to pursue the matter further.

The statement read: “The issue of the ‘defensive break-off’ was raised by a small number of players to the WPBSA Players Board earlier this year.

“As a representative body of the current tour players, WPBSA Players sought opinion from the playing membership on this issue. The WPBSA Rules Committee was also being consulted at this time.

“Following this process, however, it became clear that there is currently no will from either the membership as a whole, or the Rules Committee, for the WPBSA as the sport’s governing body to embark upon a rule change at this time.”

Williams began opening with the shot during the Masters in January, when he became frustrated at opponent Shaun Murphy’s repeated ability to capitalise on his failure to prevent leaving reds in play.

World number one Judd Trump is one of those who is against the tactic, describing it as “just so negative”, although he stopped short of calling for the shot to be outlawed.

Williams has vowed to continue with the shot in his second-round match against John Higgins, which starts on Friday. He laughed off the notion of a ban, insisting: “It’s not an illegal shot and I don’t see the problem with it, it’s farcical.”

PA