rules
If the rule was all ball fouls without referees present then SVB did nothing wrong. If there is an issue, have an issue for the players that make the rules and put these players in a lose-lose position. Lose by calling foul and getting heckled by the masses, or lose by not calling foul and then having other players call foul on you.
I normally wouldn't call foul there, but I normally don't play with those rules. If I sat through a players meeting where they spent 10 minutes talking about how it was all ball fouls and you had to referee the other player then I'd probably follow those rules, even if it was a bit uncomfortable. Because I'd assume those were the rules everyone was going to play by, and I wouldn't want to be at a disadvantage.
In other words, traditional pool etiquette goes out the window when rules are modified by the tournament director.
For those that still disagree, let me give you another example. In the 2017 US Open 9 ball there was a new rule introduced: If the 9 ball was the only ball on the table and a player pockets it and scratches, the 9 ball spots and the other player would get cue ball in hand behind the head string. It was part of their 'bring back pressure spot shot' movement. NONE of the players liked this rule, they all thought it was super strange and gaffy and just wanted to play with the same rules as every other major tournament. But the TD was determined this would be better for the audience and for pool, so he stuck to his guns.
OK, so now picture this- you make the 9 and scratch. Are you going to tell your opponent "No, I'll let you have cue ball in hand anywhere because I think that rule is stupid"? Of course not. Because you know darn well if someone else makes the 9 and scratches you'll be shooting from the head string!
Same with that 'call the 10 ball tournament', players were lambasted for calling their opponents on that but other players called them on it too, so what are you going to do?
Bottom line, the issue is a tournament director issue. I personally don't think it's that big of an issue and am stunned with the heated responses of those who don't understand this. I do agree it's not a great rule and wish TD's would just leave the rules alone. Sometimes a well intentioned rule has unforseen consequences (like this), and as players we long for just one set of rules to avoid this type of confusion as to what is appropriate behavior.
As for SVB, the sport is lucky to have him.