Mark Williams progressed to the second round of the World Snooker Championship with a 10-7 win over Martin Gould at the Crucible on Saturday.
The reigning world champion was an exasperated figure afterwards. Though, it had little to do with his performance. The 44-year-old was angry that his 12-year-old son had not been allowed backstage to wish his good luck prior to the first round match.
World Snooker later said that Williams had already used the two backstage passes which players are allowed distribute.
"They [World Snooker] have obviously got some kind of grief with me, but whatever it is you’ll have to ask them - there's plenty of them in here now," said Williams.
I’ve been having all this nonsense all season really and this morning, I just couldn't believe it, my boy tried to get in and they wouldn't let him in because I used my two passes. They said, 'You can't have any more'.
My missus said, 'Can he go in just to say 'Good luck'' and they said no. Unbelievable.
They wouldn't even let a 12-year-old boy in to say good luck. It’s pathetic in my eyes.
It was the latest grievance which Williams has had regarding snooker's governing body. In the build-up to this year's tournament, the Welshman said he felt that World Snooker would prefer if anyone other than him was to win.
"They put up the poster with all the players on it," said Williams.
"Spot the world champion. Shafted over in the corner, you could hardly see me there. It's nothing really."
