The Muslim snooker player Rory McLeod has been forced to defend himself after he was seen wearing a badge reading “Isis” in a Welsh Open match.

The 43-year-old Brit sparked outrage on social media during his game against Ronnie O’Sullivan on Monday night.

Rory McLeod wears the logo of his sponsor during his Welsh Open match (EuroSport Live)

But far from supporting the extremist Islamist terror group (also known as Islamic State) as many viewers suspected, McLeod’s waistcoat was in fact merely bearing the logo of his long-term sponsors of 14 years, Isis Business Solutions.

“Probably not the best name to have stitched on your coat on TV,” one snooker fan wrote on Twitter, while others called the branding an “unfortunate coincidence”.

Some viewers have criticised those accusing McLeod of Isis connections, describing them as “idiots”. “Like he would wear an Islamic State badge,” one post read.

McLeod’s unfortunate evening continued when he lost the second-round match at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena 4-2, despite having beaten Andrew Pagett with the same score in the first round.

O’Sullivan was knocked out of the competition himself on Wednesday night after losing 3-4 to Welsh played Matthew Stevens.