Bristol's Robert Milkins has apologised after turning up drunk to a snooker event in Turkey and being involved in an altercation.
The snooker player from Bedminster Down was rushed to hospital with a split chin after the incident and reportedly also had to have his stomach pumped. The star turned 46 on Sunday (March 6) and arrived at the opening ceremony for the inaugural Turkish Masters in Antalya after an alcohol-fuelled birthday, reports the Daily Mail.
Milkins was reportedly involved in an altercation with guests including Jason Ferguson, chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. The world number 44, nicknamed the Milkman, could be sanctioned after the incident.
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The Bristol-born potter, who uses The Wurzels hit I Am a Cider Drinker as his walk-on music for main stage events, admitted he "didn't know" where he was. He said to the Daily Mail: "I can only apologise to any guests I offended. I wouldn’t have known who it was. My behaviour was totally out of order. I will take whatever punishment I receive.
"It won’t be happening again. I only play to try and support my kids and I have let them down as well, which is the worst bit. Maybe it was karma for me to then lose."
The World Snooker Tour confirmed to the BBC that Milkins has been referred to the WPBSA disciplinary committee.
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Milkins has spoken openly about his problems with debt, lack of motivation and over-dependence on alcohol consumption, according to the BBC. He has changed his behaviour drastically since the birth of his two children.
Between 2011 and 2017 Milkins maintained good form reaching his peak professional ranking of 12 in the world and made five semi-finals in ranking events during this time. This culminated in an appearance against eventual winner, Stewart Bingham, in the Welsh open 16/17 season bagging him a cool £20,000.
Milkins has so far failed to proceed further than the second round of any event of the 21/22 season. Following his loss to Ding Junhui in the Turkish Masters, The Milkman will be looking to bounce back at the BetVictor Gibraltar Open at the end of the month.
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