Snooker's German Masters Controversy: The Higgins Defeat That Sparked a Rules Debate
A dramatic and controversial moment at the 2019 German Masters snooker tournament led to a stern warning for a young player after his landmark victory over legend John Higgins was nearly jeopardised by an oversight. The incident, which occurred during a tense final frame, has reignited discussions about the spirit versus the letter of the law in professional snooker.
The Nail-Biting Victory and the Overlooked Rest
Yuan Sijun, then just 18 years old, caused a major upset at the prestigious tournament by defeating the four-time world champion John Higgins in a thrilling 5-4 match that came down to the final black ball. Sijun clinched the win with a challenging rest shot, potting the black to secure his victory. The young player immediately turned to celebrate, shaking hands with both Higgins and the match referee in a moment of triumph.
However, in his excitement, Sijun had neglected to remove the rest from the table. As both he and the official turned their backs, the cue ball rolled into the equipment, creating an awkward situation when the referee later realised what had occurred. Technically, this should have been called as a foul, requiring the black ball to be re-spotted, but the result was ultimately allowed to stand, sparking heated debate among fans and pundits alike.
Pundits Weigh In: Spirit Versus Letter of the Law
Commenting on the incident during Eurosport's coverage of the tournament, former world number one Neal Foulds expressed his belief that while the result should stand, it should serve as an important lesson for the young player. "I noticed that the referee spotted it at the end. I think everything has to stay the same as it is. Clearly, the ball wasn't going in," Foulds remarked during the broadcast.
He continued with a direct message to Sijun: "I don't think John would like to win a match in that way. He might want to claim the points and it would go to a re-spot. But I would say to Yuan Sijun, 'Don't do it again, mate, ever.' That's the answer." Foulds emphasised the importance of looking at the spirit of the game rather than strictly adhering to the technical rules in such situations.
Fellow snooker icon and pundit Jimmy White offered additional perspective on the referee's role in the incident. "If the referee had seen it, he would have called a foul shot but he didn't see it until after. He was just standing there, then he realised himself. It was too late. But the cue ball wasn't going near any pockets. The kid had won the match. It was just a little bit naive of him not to put the rest away," White commented, highlighting the split-second nature of the decision.
The Aftermath and Tournament Context
Despite this significant victory and other wins against top players, Yuan Sijun's career has not progressed as many anticipated following his breakthrough performance. He lost his place on the World Snooker Tour in 2021 but demonstrated resilience by quickly earning his professional card back through Q-School, the qualifying tournament for the main tour.
The 2026 German Masters continues with Friday's quarter-finals and Saturday's semi-finals building toward Sunday's final. The tournament has seen memorable moments throughout its history, including Kyren Wilson's championship victory in Berlin twelve months prior. The former world title holder, known as The Warrior, bested Barry Hawkins in a thrilling final that went all the way to a dramatic 10-9 conclusion.
This incident from 2019 continues to serve as a talking point in snooker circles, illustrating how moments of human error and quick decisions can create lasting debates about fairness, sportsmanship, and the interpretation of rules in professional competition.
