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Mark Allen Embroiled in Longest Frame in Crucible History

2026-06-23 · Mark Allen · Match Report

Mark Allen was involved in the longest frame in Crucible history, lasting 1 hour 40 minutes, during his World Snooker Championship semi-final against Wu Yize on Friday.

What happened?

The frame became a farce when the black blocked the right corner pocket, with Allen leading 39-13 and the eight remaining reds clustered near the right corner. Wu and Allen took turns tapping reds closer to the black, resulting in a logjam that sent the Crucible crowd into a state of delirium. The referee, Marcel Eckardt, struggled to keep control of the room, with spectators cheering every shot.

Why it matters for Mark Allen

The controversy surrounding the frame has sparked debate among pundits, with six-time champion Steve Davis calling it "an embarrassment to snooker". John Parrott, speaking on BBC Sport, described the frame as "the most bizarre" he had ever seen at the Crucible Theatre.

What comes next?

The semi-final is now level at 7-7, with Wu Yize winning the contentious frame. Mark Allen had previously roared back into contention, winning five frames in succession to lead 7-6, including scoring the highest break at the Crucible this year of 145. The World No 2 Kyren Wilson was unimpressed with the referee's handling of the situation, stating that Marcel Eckardt should have called the frame earlier. And the match continues, with Mark Allen looking to regain his lead. But the incident has raised questions about the rules and refereeing in snooker. So the pressure is on Mark Allen to perform and make a comeback. The crowd was on the edge of their seats as the frame finally came to an end, with Wu Yize emerging victorious. Mark Allen's determination and fight are still impressive, despite the controversy surrounding the frame. As the tournament progresses, Mark Allen will look to put this behind him and focus on winning. With the score now level, the match is evenly poised, and Mark Allen will need to be at his best to win. The highest break of 145 scored by Mark Allen is a testament to his skill and talent. But the focus is now on the next frame, and how Mark Allen will respond to the controversy.

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