The three miss rule was called during Vafaei’s opening round clash with Judd Trump on Sunday (April 21). Official Rob Spencer argued he could see one of the reds full in the face, but Vafaei wasn’t so sure as he faced the unwanted prospect of becoming only the fifth player in Crucible history to forfeit a frame. “The red that’s beyond the one next to the pink you can hit centre on,” Spencer insisted. Vafaei continued to look confused.
“When I definitely look you can hit that centre ball, I can check with you now,” added Spencer, who got down to the table and eyed up the shot for himself. After he pointed to the ball in question again, Vafaei held his cue out to Spencer and said: “You play it.” That sparked laughter from the crowd, but the ref made it clear: “Hossein, if I have to call a miss on this stroke, I’ll have to award the frame to your opponent.” He ultimately hit a red but allowed Trump to regain control, and The Ace in the Pack would go on to claim a 10-5 victory.
Featuring interviews with current players, legends of the baize, pundits, TV presenters, World Snooker Tour management and other characters from behind the scenes, it really is the perfect addition to this year’s World Championship. Speaking after the match, Vafaei criticized the Crucible facilities, expressing dissatisfaction with the conditions. He said, “You want to go somewhere really nice as a player, as a media team… you walk around the Crucible and it smells really bad. As a player I’m honest, it’s just really bad.
Everything’s so bad. You go to other venues in other countries and you see how nice they treat you. Everything is shiny. But here it’s completely different.
If you ask me do I want to come back here again, I tell you no way. The practice room, do you see anything special? I feel like I’m practicing in a garage. I’m coming from a different country to see that?
It’s not good.”
