"You have let a lot of people down" Snooker exhibition organiser left furious with Luca Brecel withdrawal

Phil Cross - the owner of the Lincoln Snooker Club - had arranged an exhibition night with Crucible conqueror Brecel for the evening of Saturday 17th May.

This was the latest in a string of high-profile shows at the very popular venue; in March, then reigning World Champion Kyren Wilson performed at the club, whilst just a few weeks ago, 1980 World Champion Cliff Thorburn took to the baize there.

Preparations were well underway for Brecel’s upcoming visit to Lincolnshire, with standard, premium, and VIP playing tickets having been sold for the exhibition, but those plans were cancelled on Thursday when the Belgian replied to a message saying that he was unwell and unable to make it.

Cross posted on Facebook to explain the situation, attaching what appears to be a screenshot of a WhatsApp conversation between himself and Brecel.

The latest exchange between the two began on Tuesday morning when Cross asked Brecel what he wanted his walk-on music to be for Saturday’s exhibition.

Over 48 hours later, on Thursday, Brecel replied with "Hi Phil, really sorry but I can't make it to the exhibition as I'm feeling unwell. Regards, Luca.”

A clearly frustrated Cross messaged back: "Hi Luca, That is extremely disappointing, these shows are not easy to organise and not easy to sell, for a small business like mine this is something I work towards and rely upon income and put a lot of hard work into.

“I find it difficult to take and accept that feeling unwell on Thursday you know that you won't be able to make Saturday.

“It stinks at this notice even if you are unwell.

“You have let a lot of people down. Including young academy players that were due to play you. Phil.”

Along with the attached screenshot, Cross posted on the Lincoln Snooker Club page saying: “this is extremely disappointing for me and for everyone who is due to attend. I am working on a replacement and will communicate this to everyone ASAP.”

People in the comments of the post also expressed their disappointment.

However, there was a happy ending to situation, as just a few hours later, Cross announced that world number 64 Stan Moody - one of the hottest young properties in the sport - has stepped in last-minute to replace Brecel for the exhibition on Saturday night.

The Lincoln Snooker Club hosts a number of several big amateur tournaments and events, and is a practice base for professional player and former English Amateur Snooker Champion Steven Hallworth.

At last year’s inaugural Taom Helsinki International Snooker Cup, Brecel withdrew from the eight-player event the day before it started.

That led to Ali Carter being called up as an eleventh hour replacement. Having faced a dash to get to Finland - leaving his house at 3.45am on the day of his round one match with Jimmy White - Carter made the most of his unexpected invite by going all the way and lifting the trophy.

Since his world title glory in Sheffield over two years ago, Brecel’s results on the World Snooker Tour have been very erratic. At invitational tournaments, Brecel made the final of the 2023 Shanghai Masters, and both editions of the Riyadh Season Championship in Saudi Arabia. Alongside Reanne Evans, he won the 2024 World Mixed Doubles at the Manchester Central.

However, in ranking events, Brecel made just one semi-final within the last two seasons - that came at the Welsh Open in February. This sequence of results has led to Brecel plummeting down the world rankings; he will start the 2025/26 season outside the world’s top 32 in 39th place.

That drop would have been even worse if it wasn’t for Brecel’s memorable run to the quarter-finals of the recent 2025 World Championship where he produced the same type of rip-roaring snooker that helped him to the sport’s ultimate prize two years earlier.

Having recovered from 5-1 down to defeat qualifier Ryan Day in round one, Brecel then strung together 11 consecutive frames during his 13-4 second round victory over Ding Junhui. He came from behind to lead world number one Judd Trump in the last eight, but Trump claimed the final six frames for a 13-8 win.

His quarter-final finish pocketed Brecel £50,000, but he was defending £500,000 from his ranking tally because of his title triumph 24 months before, which equated to his big dip in the standings.