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World Snooker Championship stopped after PIGEON lands on table at The Crucible in Sheffield
A PIGEON halted play at the Betfred World Snooker Championship after JUMPING on to a hallowed Crucible table.
In incredible scenes, the bird flew down from the roof of the 980-seater theatre and disrupted the action between defending champion Mark Selby and China star Yan Bingtao in the Last 16.
BBCA pigeon landed on the table at the Crucible on Friday[/caption]
PAMark Selby’s match against Yan Bingtao had to be halted[/caption]
Before the start of the sixth frame, the startled animal flew down and almost dive-bombed the players before walking along the rail of the table.
It caused great laugher and surprise inside the arena before it flew backstage.
Ken Doherty, the 1997 world snooker champion, said on BBC TV commentary: “I don’t believe it, we have a pigeon in the Crucible!
“What do you do here? Have you ever seen anything like this? Oh, he is coming into the commentary box. Catch the pigeon!
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“Those pigeons will do anything for a free seat. This is unbelievable.”
His commentary partner John Virgo laughed: “It’s the only way you can get a (free) seat at the Crucible. Where is the pigeon going?”
Irishman Doherty added: “John, you have been coming here every year since 1977, I bet this is the first time you have seen a pigeon?”
Four-time world snooker champion Selby, who was trailing 3-2 at the time, laughed: “He has gone (back) to the dressing room.”
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On a serious note, if the pigeon had excreted all over the table, then the match would have had to stop and the cloth would have been replaced.
According to World Snooker Tour officials, the pigeon was safely removed from the arena and was not harmed.
