Masters snooker halted by second medical emergency during Allen v Carter match | Other | Sport

Play was temporarily paused twice at the Masters during Saturday’s semi-final between Mark Allen and Ali Carter due to medical emergencies in the crowd. Both stars had to remain in their seats on two occasions, once at the start of the match and another towards the grand finale.

During the early stages of the contest, both stars were informed by the referee as they remained in their seats at Alexandra Palace after two frames had been played. BBC host Hazel Irvine confirmed that a medical emergency had occurred as play was stopped, before it resumed within 10 minutes after the concerned person in the crowd received medical attention.

There had been the usual very brief break in play between frames before Allen left the table in order to take some time away, having lost the second frame to Carter.

But once the two players were ready to get started again with Carter preparing to break off, the cue ball was not in place with the others. It was instead at the bottom, near the pack of reds, before referee Rob Spencer spoke with The Captain.

He appeared to be informed that play would not be resumed until the required medical attention was given to the spectator inside Ally Pally, before returning to his seat. Allen was then given the same information.

But play quickly resumed and the two players continued in their bid to join Ronnie O’Sullivan in Sunday’s final. Then as Carter led 5-3 and needed one more frame to reach Sunday’s showpiece, the match was forced to pause mid-frame once again for a second medical emergency.