Weeks after a “creepy” viral video emerged showing a man nibbling a young boy’s ear during the World Snooker Championship, the culprit has been identified. Forklift truck operator Stefano Voci, 43, was caught on live TV engaging in bizarre behaviour as snooker champion Stephen Hendry gave an interview.

The incident, which occurred at The Crucible in Sheffield, left viewers disturbed. Social media users quickly shared the clip, which has now amassed over 12 million views and 58,000 likes. In the video, Voci leans down and whispers into the boy’s ear before sheepishly grinning as the boy waves to the camera.

South Yorkshire Police initially reviewed the footage but has now determined that no crime had been committed, closing the investigation. A spokesperson for the World Snooker Tour after the incident stated, “We are aware of this incident, and it is now a police matter.”

Voci, an Italian national who was visiting relatives in Sheffield from his home near Milan, defended his actions on social media. He described the behaviour as a normal means of expressing affection toward a loved one. His family members have reportedly deleted their social media accounts in response to the attention.

While the boy in the video has been confirmed as a relative of Voci’s, his identity remains undisclosed due to his age. Voci’s heartfelt post emphasised that the images circulating on social networks were manipulated and not representative of his intentions.

As the controversy continues, Voci has deleted all his social media accounts, leaving behind a perplexing episode that has captivated millions worldwide.