Snooker boss fury after Ronnie's shocking Beijing outburst

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Walker, who confirmed the governing body's disciplinary committee are investigating the incident, expressed his apologies to tournament officials and members of the public after the latest in a series of controversies caused by the mercurial potter.

Outburst: O'Sullivan could face sanctions after his comments

World Snooker are reviewing a video in which the two-time world champion made sexual innuendoes and suggestive comments in front of the assembled media in Beijing.

In footage posted on the internet, O'Sullivan can be heard making sexual references towards journalists.

The Englishman's comments came in between questioning following his surprise 5-4 defeat to Hong Kong's Marco Fu in the last 32 stage of this season's £250,000 tournament at the Beijing Sports Gymnasium.

While a Chinese translator was taking questions from the press, O'Sullivan looked bored and then brandished a hand-held microphone suggestively. He then made a further sexual reference and began laughing.

World Snooker chairman Walker said in a statement: "I have been made aware of the video of Ronnie O'Sullivan's press conference on Wednesday night.

"I arrived in Beijing this morning and immediately viewed the footage.

"In my opinion, Ronnie O'Sullivan's behaviour was unacceptable. The matter has been referred to the WPBSA Disciplinary Committee and is under review.

"On behalf of World Snooker, I have apologised in person today to the promoter of the Honghe Industrial 2008 World Snooker China Open.

"I would also like to send my apologies to the people of China for any offence that may have been caused.

"While the matter is under review, I hope that we can enjoy the rest of what has been an outstanding tournament."

This latest incident is not the first time O'Sullivan has been in trouble with World Snooker.

In May last year the Chigwell-based professional was fined £21,000 for walking out of his Maplin UK Championship quarter-final with Scotland's Stephen Hendry.

Nine years prior to that a youthful O'Sullivan was fined £30,000 for assaulting a snooker official - and then in 1998 the 32-year-old also failed a drug test when he tested positive for cannabis. He was subsequently stripped of his Irish Masters title.