Snooker Scandal: Ding Junhui Slams Scottish Open Tables, Fined £4,000; Alfie Burden’s Temper Lands £1,500 Fine
The latest update to the WPBSA’s disciplinary records has drawn attention to two prominent figures in snooker: Chinese sensation Ding Junhui and World Seniors champion Alfie Burden. Both players have been fined for different infractions, shedding light on the sometimes controversial aspects of professional snooker.
Ding Junhui, the former world number one, was fined £4,000 for publicly criticizing the tables used at the 2024 Scottish Open. The controversy erupted after Ding lost 4-3 to Luca Brecel. On Chinese social media platform Weibo, Ding expressed his frustration over the playing conditions, calling the tables “s***” and describing the bounce of the cushions as inconsistent, likening them to springs. He questioned how players could control the cue ball under such conditions, and even accused the event organizers of using inferior tables. In response, the World Snooker Tour (WST) firmly defended the tables, stating that their rigorous testing process ensures the highest quality, and no other players had raised similar concerns. As a result of his comments, Ding was fined £4,000, with £2,500 of the fine suspended until March 2025, in addition to £975 in costs.
Meanwhile, Alfie Burden faced a £1,500 fine and a formal warning for inappropriate behavior during a World Seniors Championship qualifying match earlier in the year. The 48-year-old admitted to “punching the table a couple of times and swearing” after an emotional moment in the match. Despite this, Burden went on to claim victory at the World Seniors Championship at the Crucible in May, proving his resilience on and off the table.
Also included in the update was the previously reported case of Matt Selt, who faced a £10,000 fine and a suspended three-month ban for aggressive and abusive behavior.
These cases highlight the pressures of professional snooker, where emotions sometimes boil over but are met with disciplinary actions to maintain the integrity of the sport.
