Masters Snooker final referee Tatiana Woollaston is banned from officiating one player

Tatiana Woollaston has been appointed referee for the Masters snooker final at Alexandra Palace and is barred from officiating one player on the World Snooker Tour. The restriction applies because that player is her husband, Ben Woollaston, under standard conflict-of-interest regulations. Woollaston will oversee the final between Kyren Wilson and John Higgins. Her appointment reflects her standing among elite snooker officials and follows previous roles at major Triple Crown events. The officiating rule has been consistently enforced throughout her refereeing career.

Masters Final Appointment at Alexandra Palace

Tatiana Woollaston is refereeing the Masters final between Kyren Wilson and John Higgins at Alexandra Palace. The Masters is an invitational tournament restricted to the world’s top 16 players. The final is played in front of approximately 2,000 spectators, with a global broadcast audience. This appointment marks Woollaston’s second Triple Crown final as a referee. She previously officiated the 2024 UK Championship final, reinforcing her position at the highest level of professional snooker officiating.

Reason Behind the Officiating Restriction

Tatiana Woollaston is prohibited from refereeing matches involving Ben Woollaston on the World Snooker Tour. The ban is enforced under conflict-of-interest rules designed to protect match integrity. Ben Woollaston is an active professional player on the tour. Both regularly attend the same tournaments but operate in separate professional roles. Woollaston has stated that she would neither be permitted nor willing to officiate her husband’s matches, maintaining clear professional boundaries.

Tatiana Woollaston’s Statement on Professional Boundaries

Tatiana Woollaston has publicly stated that she does not officiate matches involving her husband. She confirmed the separation of roles before the 2024 UK Championship. Woollaston explained that both operate independently on the professional circuit. She emphasised that the restriction is clear and long-standing. Her position reflects compliance with World Snooker Tour regulations. The approach has remained consistent throughout her refereeing career.

Previous Triple Crown and Major Tournament Experience

Tatiana Woollaston has officiated multiple high-profile snooker matches. She refereed the 2024 UK Championship final between Judd Trump and Barry Hawkins. She has also overseen a World Championship semi-final at the Crucible. In addition, she took charge of the British Open final in 2023. These appointments place her among the most trusted referees in elite professional snooker.

Reputation Within Professional Snooker

Tatiana Woollaston is widely regarded as one of the sport’s leading referees. Ronnie O’Sullivan has publicly described her as the best referee in the game. Mark Allen has also praised her performances ahead of major finals. Fellow officials and players regularly commend her consistency and authority. Her Masters final appointment reflects this standing within professional snooker.

Ben Woollaston’s Tour Status and Tournament Eligibility

Ben Woollaston is an active professional on the World Snooker Tour and is currently ranked 36th in the world. He was not eligible to compete at the Masters, as the invitational event is restricted to the top 16 players. Woollaston has regularly featured at ranking tournaments, including the UK Championship. At the most recent UK Championship, he was eliminated in the opening round. His tour status is the reason officiating restrictions apply.

Life Beyond Refereeing

Refereeing is not Tatiana Woollaston’s full-time occupation. She works as a merchandiser for retail company Next, which is headquartered in Leicester. Woollaston has been with the company for over a decade. She has stated that her employer is supportive of her refereeing commitments. Flexible working arrangements allow her to officiate at major tournaments while continuing her professional role outside snooker.

Background and Introduction to Snooker

Tatiana Woollaston developed an interest in snooker during childhood. She first watched the sport on Russian-language Eurosport broadcasts. At the time, the professional calendar featured only a limited number of events each season. She followed tournaments closely with her father and rarely missed matches. That early exposure led to her long-term involvement in professional snooker officiating.

Context Within Modern Snooker Officiating

Referees play a central role in maintaining fairness and authority at elite snooker events. Appointments for Triple Crown tournaments are based on experience, neutrality, and regulatory compliance. Tatiana Woollaston’s selection reflects those standards. Her career progression mirrors the increasing visibility and responsibility placed on female snooker referees at the highest level of the sport. Conflict-of-interest rules remain fundamental to protecting competitive integrity.

Current Tournament Landscape

The Masters and UK Championship continue to shape the early season narrative on the professional tour. Leading players including Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump, Mark Selby, and John Higgins remain prominent figures across Triple Crown events. Recent UK Championship matches have produced notable results, including early exits and unexpected victories. These outcomes underline the competitive depth of the current field as the season progresses.

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