Robertson calls for ban on O'Sullivan's chalk

Former world champion Neil Robertson has called for a controversial chalk used by Ronnie O'Sullivan to be banned, saying most other players "hate it" and that it "makes an absolute mess of the table".

O'Sullivan, 50, is one of only a handful of players on the World Snooker Tour (WST) to still use the traditional Triangle Chalk.

Critics say it causes more poor contacts, leading to 'kicks' when the cue ball hits the object ball, often resulting in players running out of position or missing pots.

Almost all players use Taom Chalk, which reduces kicks and leaves no marks on the table.

There are currently no restrictions in place on what chalks can be used in WST events so O'Sullivan, who lost a thrilling last-16 tie 13-12 to John Higgins earlier on Monday, has not done anything against the sport's rules.

However, there was a noticeable kick in the deciding frame when the Scot was taking a shot on a red.

He could be heard saying "oh my god" when the cue ball did not run through as expected. That red was potted, but, out of position, Higgins then missed the following black, although it did not prove crucial as he sealed an incredible victory, having trailed 8-3 and 9-4.

Robertson won 13-7 in his last-16 match against Chris Wakelin to set up a meeting with Higgins, with the Australian pleased to avoid O'Sullivan - and his chalk.

"I would prefer to play John so I don't have to contend with the chalk that Ronnie uses, which should be banned from the game," Robertson told BBC Four.

"I don't know how you are allowed to even use it."

In his post-match news conference, the 44-year-old world champion of 2010 expanded further.

"All the players hate it, it just destroys it. You get kicks, bounces and it makes an absolute mess of the table," he said.

"I know he [O'Sullivan] is friends with [artist] Damien Hirst, but it's like he is making artwork with the chalk all over the cloth. I don't think he does it to put off anyone, he is not that way inclined at all.

"He is about the only player left on tour that uses that chalk - hopefully they bring in a ban."

A WST spokesperson said: "Currently players have free choice on what type of chalk to use."

Robertson, who said he will not allow practice partners to use Triangle Chalk when playing, added: "It is something to bring up. It can really ruin the game and it's not fair for the players who aren't using it.

"Shaun Murphy and I would love to see it removed from the face of the Earth," added Robertson, who jokingly called the incident "chalkgate".

He said: "Even snooker clubs are banning it - it ruins the actual cloth and comes with a health warning label, so why are we using it? I've had people come up to practice with me and they have brought it and I've said 'you're not using that'.

"No pro allows anyone to use Triangle Chalk on their table."

When Higgins was struggling in Sunday's play, seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry, speaking on BBC television coverage, said: "Ronnie uses the old-fashioned chalk that leaves a lot of marks on the table.

"Marks on the cushions, which if the balls hit it can make big bounces. The table can play heavy and the players are not used to that because everyone else uses the other chalk - there's no marks, there's nothing, no bounces, no kicks."

Six-time world champion Steve Davis explained further and said: "What happened in a very short space of time, a new chalk came on the market.

"It certainly didn't have as many shots where you get a bad contact, where chalk was stuck to the cue ball and then it was in the way between when it hit the object ball.

"Nearly all of the players adopted it because it's far better, you don't have to have the cue ball cleaned, it doesn't lay on the cushions, it doesn't lay on the cloth and the ball doesn't pick up the residue chalk on the cloth even.

"But Ronnie decided to stay with the old one - the one he knew."

Higgins, who at 50 would become the oldest player to win a World Championship if he was to lift the trophy on Monday, 4 May, moved into the quarter-finals for a 20th time.

On struggling on Sunday, Higgins said: "Ronnie was by far the better player. His cue ball was amazing and that's what sort of makes you just feel inferior sometimes, when his cue ball is so much better and I'm scrapping about.

"But there are circumstances why that is because we all know he uses the other chalk and different things, so that's what makes the table play a little bit bouncy and it's all messy.

"It's tough to play against, but you've just got to try and get it out of your mind. But today it was a brand new cloth, which helped me a great deal, because then I knew there was no chalk marks.

"He's got a better cue ball control than any player in the game today maybe, probably even better than [Zhao] Xintong's, so he can override that.

"The table has recovered and played a lot better today [Monday] as well. Ronnie plays with different chalk and that makes it difficult, and makes the pockets seem tighter than they appear to be."