United Kingdom

World Snooker Championship: Pigeon interrupts second round matches by landing at Crucible table

The World Snooker Championship was interrupted by a PIGEON during Friday’s matches of the second round of Crucible, with players and spectators remaining in stitches as the bird landed on the table before taking off

  • A pigeon stopped the World Snooker Championship on Friday
  • The bird found its way to the Sheffield Crucible Theater and landed on a table
  • Players and spectators remained in disbelief during Friday’s second round matches
  • Eventually, the pigeon flew off the table before the officers removed it from the arena

By Oliver Salt for Mailonline

Posted: 18:16, 22 April 2022 | Updated: 19:03, 22 April 2022

The World Snooker Championship was incredibly stopped by a pigeon on Friday, finding its way into the Sheffield Crucible Theater and landing on a table.

The happy moment came during the matches of the second round in the audience, where Mark Selby faced Yang Bingtao and Zhao Xintong competed against Stephen Maguire.

Bingtao shuddered slightly as the pigeon first flew down to Crucible before landing on the edge of the table.

Commentator Rob Walker then said: “We’ve seen some things in Crucible before, but we’ve never seen it. Well I never.

“How the hell are they going to get him out?”

The bird then strolled leisurely across the table and flew away, drawing a mixture of laughter and applause from the crowd.

After waiting for the green light, Bingtao and Selby – who both seemed surprised by the strange incident – resumed their game in their second round match.

A pigeon stopped the World Snooker Championship on Friday afternoon

Yang Bingtao and other players were stunned as the bird made its way to the Crucible

Laughter erupted among the spectators in the arena as the pigeon flew to the table

Има There is a pigeon on the snooker table 🚨

You read it correctly. I think he wants a game. # BBCSnooker

– BBC Sport (@BBCSport) April 22, 2022

Crucible employees eventually took control of the situation and drove the pigeon out of the arena before passing it through the player’s entrance.

Fans were apparently amused by the pigeons’ interruption, turning to social media to shed light on the situation.

One wrote: “You can call it a bird’s eye view … I’ll get a coat.”

Another joked, “I heard there’s a prize for the highest beak.”

You can call it a bird’s eye view … I’ll get a coat.

– Caoimhin MacEochaidh (@ CaoimhinMacEoc1) April 22, 2022

I go to the ball Coo.

– Aidan Kelly (@ AidanKe42592122) April 22, 2022

That’s why snooker has to stay in Sheffield!

– Will Thompson (@willwearswhat) April 22, 2022

Bingtao rushed 4-2 ahead in their second-round clash with Selby after the bird left

Third sentence: “I’m going to Coo Ball.”

While another insisted, “That’s why snooker has to stay in Sheffield!”

After the game recovered, Bingtao took a 4-2 lead in their clash with Selby in the second round.

Meanwhile, Maguire is currently leading Xintong 11-5 in the other match of the second round.

Share or comment on this article: