Neil Robertson has hit out at conduct and integrity in snooker, which he says has ‘fallen off a cliff’ in response to a controversial Kyren Wilson incident at the International Championship.

Wilson was 5-3 down to Liam Highfield in Nanjing and after losing the eighth frame he got up to leave the playing area, throwing his cue onto the table as he departed.

The cue clattered into balls in front of referee Dai Liang, who stopped it rolling towards him and looked shocked as the former world champion walked off.

The Warrior has since apologised to the official, saying he brought him a cupcake the following day to say sorry, but also said the action was necessary to fire him up as he was struggling against Highfield.

After the incident Wilson returned to win the final three frames and the match 6-5. He said: ‘I’m not saying it’s the right thing to do, but it was the right thing for me to do in that moment to get myself geed up and going again.’

Robertson feels it is an example of a trend in the sport, which has seen standards of conduct decline.

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‘Obviously Kyren would like his time again and you have addressed it @TWSportsManager,’ Robertson posted on social media, tagging in Wilson’s management team.

‘But in general the sporting conduct in snooker is in the absolute bin and something really needs to get done about it.

‘In other instances I’m seeing the equivalent of players launch their golf bag down as someone is about to make a putt and think it’s clever play if they miss.’

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The Australian suggested that female referees are much better at dealing with heated incidents, adding: ‘Seems the only referees in our sport who don’t physically have a pair are the ones who have any balls to call this behaviour out.

‘The integrity of snooker has fallen off a cliff to 20 years ago.’

Wilson spoke to World Snooker Tour about the situation after beating Ryan Day in his next outing, which is when he revealed his apology to Dai but not over throwing the incident in general.

The Warrior suggested Highfield’s pace of play was frustrating him, leading to his outburst.

‘It’s a tough one really. I’ve always been a fiery character, I’ve always had that little bit of that temper side in me,’ he said.

‘That’s something that has made me a winner over the years, I feel like that little bit of fire in your belly is the difference in a winner sometimes.

‘It was just something I just needed to get out of my system, I kind of bottled up my emotions for eight frames.

‘I’ve played Liam for many years, since we were about 11 years old, he’s kind of changed his style of play, if I can put it lightly, and it just frustrated me over the course of eight frames.

‘I’m not saying it’s the right thing to do, but it was the right thing for me to do in that moment to get myself geed up and going again.’

Wilson’s management, run by his brother Taylor, had commented on the issue on Monday, posting: ‘Out of frustration with how the game is going. Doesn’t make it acceptable or right, that’s why he apologised to the referee after.

‘Some players punch tables. Some players throw rests & cues. Some players smash balls around the table.

‘Elite sport frustration. Doesn’t make any of them right. It’s what happens within the moment. Apologise & move on.’