JAMES WADE’S bizarre lick of Luke Humphries’ neck has been branded as “disgusting”.
Former major champ Paul Nicholson believes the incident during the UK Open quarter-final on Sunday afternoon may well be investigated.
Wade, 41, stuck his tongue out towards the World No.1 after his walk-on at Minehead.
After losing the match, Humphries slightly shoulder-barged his rival.
He then posted on X, which was later deleted: “Everyone loves to see people be a bad loser but I’m generally one of the best losers in the sport.
“I wasn’t going to give someone, who didn’t deserve my respect after what he was doing through the game, a hug and be all happy about it that’s just my honesty.”
Some fans criticised Humphries for being a bad loser.
But Nicholson told Sporting Life: “Just two days after earning all that praise for bringing Beau Greaves back on stage.
“Humphries found himself being harshly criticised by some fans on social media for a frosty handshake and a small shoulder barge.
“It is ridiculous for anyone to call Humphries a 'bad loser' and his track record of graciousness speaks for itself.
“There had seemingly been tensions building throughout and they didn't exchange the usual handshake or fist bump before the deciding leg, while Wade licking Humphries' neck before the match began may have been an issue.
“I'm with Luke on this one. I think sometimes as a competitor, you have to draw a line and say, ‘If you are going to play games and do things within a competitive environment that cross the line, then don't expect respect in return’.
“The photograph that surfaced of James sticking his tongue out and touching Luke's neck was disgusting and I wouldn't be surprised if it was investigated.
“Whether that was one of the things that bothered Luke or not, the fact he left the stage in the manner he did after the match wasn't anything to do with being a 'bad loser'.
“If James hadn't done anything provocative, Luke's reaction to defeat would have been very different.
“I've been in my fair share of incidents, and there was one time when I lost to Kim Huybrechts at the World Cup and I walked off without shaking his hand.
“I was called a bad loser then but I was just mad at myself - not at Kim. So, these things can happen at the end of a match when there's been no bad blood.
Former major champ Paul Nicholson believes the incident during the UK Open quarter-final on Sunday afternoon may well be investigated.
Wade, 41, stuck his tongue out towards the World No.1 after his walk-on at Minehead.
After losing the match, Humphries slightly shoulder-barged his rival.
He then posted on X, which was later deleted: “Everyone loves to see people be a bad loser but I’m generally one of the best losers in the sport.
“I wasn’t going to give someone, who didn’t deserve my respect after what he was doing through the game, a hug and be all happy about it that’s just my honesty.”
Some fans criticised Humphries for being a bad loser.
But Nicholson told Sporting Life: “Just two days after earning all that praise for bringing Beau Greaves back on stage.
“Humphries found himself being harshly criticised by some fans on social media for a frosty handshake and a small shoulder barge.
“It is ridiculous for anyone to call Humphries a 'bad loser' and his track record of graciousness speaks for itself.
“There had seemingly been tensions building throughout and they didn't exchange the usual handshake or fist bump before the deciding leg, while Wade licking Humphries' neck before the match began may have been an issue.
“I'm with Luke on this one. I think sometimes as a competitor, you have to draw a line and say, ‘If you are going to play games and do things within a competitive environment that cross the line, then don't expect respect in return’.
“The photograph that surfaced of James sticking his tongue out and touching Luke's neck was disgusting and I wouldn't be surprised if it was investigated.
“Whether that was one of the things that bothered Luke or not, the fact he left the stage in the manner he did after the match wasn't anything to do with being a 'bad loser'.
“If James hadn't done anything provocative, Luke's reaction to defeat would have been very different.
“I've been in my fair share of incidents, and there was one time when I lost to Kim Huybrechts at the World Cup and I walked off without shaking his hand.
“I was called a bad loser then but I was just mad at myself - not at Kim. So, these things can happen at the end of a match when there's been no bad blood.
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