A pre-match run-in with the officials promised to unnerve Luca Brecel's title defence at the Crucible before it had even begun.

That's after the 'Belgian Bullet' was pulled up by the referee seconds before his World Snooker Championship opener against David Gilbert. Brecel, 29, returns to Sheffield this month hoping to become the first player to win back-to-back world titles since Mark Selby did so in 2016 and 2017.

However, those plans appeared at risk of derailing after Paul Collier approached the reigning champ next to the table on Sunday. And the Welshman could be heard asking snooker star Brecel whether he had a bow tie to wear for his opening clash.

"Paul Collier to Luca. ‘Have you not got a bow tie?’ Did I hear that right," asked one social media spectator. And another mused: "Where is Luca Brecel’s bow tie? Referee Paul Collier asked him at the start but never heard the reply."

"How come Luca's sacked off the bow tie," pondered another fan left in the dark. And there was plenty more attention paid to the missing part of the traditional snooker uniform.

Brecel noticeably played with his shirt unbuttoned at the top for his first-round matchup with Gilbert. Meanwhile, 'The Farmer' adhered to the dress policy with a black-on-black shirt and tie combination.

If Brecel was in any way lacking in terms of attire, the same couldn't be said for his playing standards as he rocketed off the mark on Saturday. He converted break of 91 to win the opening frame against Gilbert before registering the first century break of the tournament with a 134 to go two frames ahead.

The Belgian's triumph last year made him the first player from mainland Europe to lift the World Snooker Championship. However, he faces a stiff run to make it two in as many editions as Ronnie O'Sullivan once again goes in search of a record-breaking eighth Crucible crown.