Paul Scholes has spoken about his experience watching Ronnie O’Sullivan at the Crucible after receiving an apology from the BBC. The former Manchester United and England midfielder attended the second session of O’Sullivan’s first round match against Chinese debutant Heguoqiang. The Rockets led 7-2 from the first session and needed three more frames to seal a spot in the last 16.
Scholes was seen on BBC cameras at the start of the second session, but the match was quickly over as O’Sullivan cruised to victory. The football legend went on to receive an apology from commentator John Parrott, who said: “Paul Scholes may have enjoyed this, but he’s only going to watch three frames. I’m sorry Paul, but this guy is too good.”
Scholes later revealed that the 51-year-old received special treatment when he arrived at the Sheffield venue and loved his experience at the Crucible.
“I got on my phone and checked to see if I could buy a ticket. There was only one ticket left in the whole theater. I was three seats away from Ronnie. I clicked and it was £450, so I just thought, ‘Fuck, I’m going to do it.’ This is something I’ve always wanted to do.
“I got there and I had no idea where to go. Then this woman came over and she was like the event manager. I was given a guided tour everywhere and she told me where everyone was to stand and go outside and all that.”
“She took me to the table and sat in Ronnie’s chair and took a picture. I don’t often get excited about things, but this was incredible and one of the best things I’ve ever done.
“They put me in a seat three seats away from him. It was peace and quiet, to be honest. I could have sat in that chair for two weeks.”
O’Sullivan was later seen thanking Scholes with a thumbs up while sitting in a chair, which surprised the former England international who was unsure whether he would be recognized.
“I didn’t know if he knew me,” Scholes added. “I don’t know, right? I don’t know. But he let it out to me at the end when we were putting together the cue, and I thought, ‘Oh my god, he knows who I am.’
O’Sullivan has since lost to John Higgins in the second round after abandoning a commanding lead and was expelled from the World Snooker Championship.
He twice led by five frames, but lost six frames on the bounce in the final two sessions, and Higgins hit his third century before crossing the line in the decisive final frame.
