Ali Carter told the world’s media he will not be bullied by anyone when asked about his shoulder barge incident with Ronnie O’Sullivan

Ali Carter. Picture by Monique Limbos

Carter insisted there was no malice in the incident which has got the whole snooker world talking.

Both players collided with each other during the 19th frame of their epic second round clash which saw Carter win 13-9.

After the two clashed shoulders, words were then exchanged which prompted referee Paul Collier to intervene and order the players to carry on with the match.

Speaking after the match, Carter said he had been through much worse in his life – referring to the time he was battling with lung cancer four years ago.

“He will do anything he can to win, and so will I,” he said. “He barged me, but I’m sorry, I’m not going to be bullied by anyone.

“I’ve been through a lot in my life, much harder things than a shoulder barge from someone.

“If I was going to fall over and roll on the floor, that’s not me as a person. It’s impossible. He didn’t exactly head-butt me and put me on the floor. The Crucible is really tight, it’s packed in there. We brushed shoulders and that’s all there is to it. There’s no malice there from me.

“I’m not intimidated by Ronnie like other players are. I’ve been through harder things than that in my life, so I won’t let myself down.

“There was a barge. I’m walking to the table and he’s walking away from the table. I might have invaded his space and he might have invaded mine. It’s heat of the moment stuff, there’s not a load of room out there. We had a little shoulder barge and a laugh about it, there’s no malice there.”

Carter described beating O’Sullivan as “very special” – it was the first time he had beaten him in a major competition after years of trying.

“I’ve got the utmost respect for Ronnie and what he’s done for the game,” he added.

“He’s under huge pressure and expectation, and to beat him today is very special.

“I’m only in the quarter finals, the job’s not done yet, so I’ll go home for a day or two and come back for the next match which will be even harder.”

Carter will face either Mark Williams or Robert Milkins in the quarter-finals.