South Yorkshire Police confirm they are reviewing footage after viral video emerges of a man bizarrely biting a young boy's ear at the World Snooker Championship

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South Yorkshire Police have confirmed that they are 'reviewing' the footage after a man was seen biting on a young boy's ear during Thursday's coverage of the World Championship at The Crucible in Sheffield.

Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry was speaking during a break in play in BBC's coverage of the afternoon session when the disturbing moment could be seen in the background over his left shoulder.

The man, relation unknown, appeared to whisper in the child's ear before proceeding to nibble on his ear with viewers left shocked.

The boy seem unfazed as he noticed he could be seen on the live broadcast and then smiled and waved towards the camera as the man pulled back.

Mail Sport contacted the South Yorkshire Police, who had this to say: 'Yesterday, Thursday 25 April at 9.20pm, we received a call to inform us of a video circulating on social media of a man and a boy at the Crucible in Sheffield.

A man (right) was seen biting a boy's ear during Thursday's Snooker coverage on BBC

South Yorkshire Police have confirmed that they are currently reviewing the footage 

'We are aware of the footage and officers will be reviewing the content.'

A spokesperson for the World Snooker Tour said on Friday: 'we are aware of this incident and it is now a police matter'. 

One fan quickly posted the a clip of the incident on social media, writing 'what the f*** did I just see?!' with the 'sick' emoji. 

The video had amassed over 12million views and 58,000 likes by Friday morning with X users expressing their horror.

'This is very troubling', wrote one while another said 'I just threw up'.

Another posted: 'that is absolutely shocking. That poor child. Find this man.' 

Many went as far as to argue insist that the boy needed protection and that the man should be arrested.