Ronnie O’Sullivan isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. (Image: Getty)
Telling a referee to “shut up” as you hurl things about backstage would be considered very controversial behaviour for most players, but for Englishman Matthew Selt it was simply another episode in his colourful career.
The world No.33 in a German Masters qualifying match last week, and let his frustrations get the better of him post-match.
Away from the table Selt, 39, is considered a popular player on the tour and a seasoned professional having made his world championship debut back in 2013. His solitary rankings title came in 2019, when he beat the iconic John Higgins on his way to claiming the Indian Open.
But his latest outburst didn’t signify the first time he’s been in the headlines for the wrong reasons, wasn’t anything new….
Selt’s expensive Instagram outburst
In April 2022, Selt opted to become embroiled in an ugly social media exchange with a fan, and it ended up costing him £3,000. The 39-year-old had made bitter rival the subject of his story, prompting a direct message from a snooker fan from Ellesmere Port.
They wrote ‘When’s your match Matt??’, in reference to Selt failing to qualify for the that was ongoing at the time. He replied “Rather not play than be an absolute c*** of a human,” before further insulting the seven-time world champion.
The exchange with the fan continued, and after being accused of being jealous, he called the fan a “F***ing doughnut” and a “M**g.” Unbeknown to Selt, the person he was conversing with was autistic.
Matthew Selt is a seasoned proferssional. (Image: Getty)
A WPBSA hearing followed two months later, where the Romford-born star cut a far more apologetic tone. He admitted breaching the organisation’s rules and his players’ contract, and accepted a £2k fine as well as being ordered to pay another £1k in costs.
Slamming O’Sullivan
The criticisms of O’Sullivan on social media, also questioning his status as an ‘ambassador’ of the sport, immediately sparked rumours of a feud. And it all made for enticing viewing when the pair were drawn against each other at the Xi’an Grand Prix in August.
The quarter-final clash went to the wire as well, . To Selt’s credit however, he has also praised the aura of the 49-year-old, even when questioning his rvials’ humility when compared to fellow greats and .
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“If they were all in a room together, he’s (Higgins) the only one you wouldn’t know what he won because he is just that down to earth,” said Selt. “I’ve always had respect for him. Ronnie scares the living s*** out of me. When I play him, I just can’t breathe.”
A speedy Saudi departure
When there is a £500,000 prize fund on the line, you’d expect most professional players to fight to the bitter end. Not Selt though, who at the lucrative Saudi Arabia Masters last month.
Trailing 4-3, Selt missed a simple black into the bottom-right pocket early pin the frame. While Junxu still had some considerable work to do, his opponent wasn’t about to hang around to put him under pressure, flicking the red ball with his hand before opting to shaken his hands with there Chinese player and match referee.
Selt later revealed he had been playing with a broken cue in Riyadh after it had been damaged on the flight over. But he never clarified why he had opted for such a hasty exit instead of trying to force a deciding frame.