Former world champion Luca Brecel ‘cheesed off’ and accused of ‘making statement’ with bizarre gesture at Scottish Open

LUCA BRECEL “made a statement” during his Scottish Open quarter-final exit last week.

The former world champion, 29, battled Chinese star Xiao Guodong in the last eight in Edinburgh.

Rex

Luca Brecel was agitated during his Scottish Open quarter-final exit[/caption]

Brecel has struggled for form in 2024, with last week’s run his first quarter-final appearance at a ranking tournament of the season.

The “Belgian Bullet” went on to exit the event after losing 5-1 to Xiao.

After falling 3-1 behind, he raised eyebrows of those watching on by leaving his cue in the centre of the arena.

Brecel’s cue lay propped up by the advertising boards as he stormed off for the break.

Appearing on Eurosport, pundit Alan McManus had his say on the gesture.

The Scot, 53, said: “It’s almost a statement of being a bit cheesed off at the way that the last couple of frames have gone.

“And it’s almost a statement to all of us. Look, things are not going my way and that’s what I think about it.

“I’m not going to practice, and he’s telling us all. Which is fair thinking, but I don’t know if it’s the best move.”

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X formerly Twitter / @eurosport

Brecel, 29, left his cue up against the advertising boards[/caption]

Jimmy White then added: “Strange place to leave your cue.

“If you’re going to leave it out there, you put it under the table. He moved it from where he was sitting. I don’t know.”

Xiao, 35, went on to be knocked out 6-4 in the semi-finals by his compatriot Wu Yize.

Wu was then defeated 9-5 by fellow Chinese star Lei Peifan in yesterday’s final.