Former world champion Ken Doherty has questioned the decision not to put Jimmy White’s second round UK Championship match in the main arena of York’s Barbican Theatre.

Ken Doherty and Jimmy White. Pictures by Monique Limbos

Despite beating Ali Carter in one of the shocks of the first round, six-times World Championship finalist White had to play his second round clash against Kurt Maflin in the venue’s Sports Hall – meaning the game, or even segments of it, could not be televised.

Matches at the Sports Hall can not be televised though the reason for why this is is unclear. From Monday (December 4) all remaining matches will be played at the main arena.

White ended up losing the match 6-2 but Doherty, who earlier this year received an invitational wildcard with White from World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn, appeared to be confused as to why White’s match was not chosen to be in the main arena.

He tweeted: “Why was @jimmywhite147 not playing front of house tonight,someone please explain???? @WorldSnooker1.” His tweet included ‘thinking face’ emojis.

The word on Twitter is that the reason for why matches are/are not played at the arena is based on the rankings system with neither White or Maflin in the world’s top 40.