Ding faces fine for describing tables as 'c***' after shock UK exit

Ding - winner of the UK Championship in 2005 and 2009, and the Masters in 2011 - lost 6-2 to the tournament's 121st seed Adam Duffy in making a shock exit at the Barbican Centre in York.

Ding swore during a press conference lasting only 30 seconds as he berated the cramped nature of the conditions at the sport's second biggest ranking tournament behind the World Championship.

Four tables can be found in the main hall at the York venue with another four tables in the sports hall in a field comprising 128 players.

Ding appeared to blame his defeat on the set-up at the event. A number of players are known to be privately concerned about the conditions ahead of the televised stages, but do not speak for fear of being hit with a fine by the game's authorities.

Ding's outburst has been referred to the disciplinary arm of the WPBSA.

Ding was fined £250 and warned about his future conduct in 2012 after swearing in a press conference after losing 10-9 to Ryan Day in the first round of the World Championship.

World Snooker ruled back then that his actions were contrary to rule 1.1, which states: “Members shall, at all times (i.e. whether at a Tournament or not), behave in a proper and correct manner consistent with their status as professional sportsmen.”

He was also scathing about the tables at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield three years ago, commenting: "I don't think the tables were right, I don't think the fans were right. It was all rubbish.

"They just kept shouting. People say Chinese fans are no good, but I'm here and what do they do?"

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