Streaking 'Sven' blazes a trail

White is rudely interrupted during his first-round match

Try as he might, Sven-Goran Eriksson just can't keep his face out of the news at the moment.

Its latest appearance before the cameras came at the Embassy World Snooker Championship courtesy of the Crucible's first-ever streaker.

A man wearing only his socks and an Eriksson mask cut out from a national newspaper suddenly appeared beside the baize.

I nearly jumped out of my suit when I saw the streaker

Jimmy White nearly streaked with shock

Trying vainly to protect his modesty with the rest of the newspaper, he briefly interrupted the first-round match between Paul Hunter and Quinten Hann.

Hunter eventually lost 10-9 to the Australian in a thrilling encounter, but was able to look back with humour at the streaker's appearance.

"I'm disappointed but it's only a game," said the 23-year-old from Leeds.

"The streaker was unbelievable. He came up to me, shook my hand and said 'Leeds United'."

The naked Leeds fan was later identified as Andrew Slater, an unemployed 36-year-old from Doncaster.

He was apprehended by a security guard, led away and later handed over to police by tournament officials.

Business as usual for the referee

Slater, who managed to shed his clothes while in his seat without anyone apparently noticing, said: "I just did it for a laugh."

He also approached Jimmy White during his emphatic 10-2 victory over Dominic Dale.

"I was very pleased with my concentration and in practice I'm playing better than anyone," said White.

"But I nearly jumped out of my suit when I saw the streaker. I didn't know what everyone was laughing at.

"But with Quinten on the next table you never know what can happen."