Matthew Selt furiously told a referee to « shut up » after a disappointing defeat in German Masters qualifying. The snooker star was left furious and could be heard crashing and banging off-camera.
Selt and Latvian prospect Artemijs Zizins were playing a best-of-nine match in Sheffield to decide who would head to Germany. The Englishman let out an incredible outburst as the deciding frame got away from him in unfortunate circumstances.
Zizins was lucky to win the deciding frame, needing only a red to win match ball. However, he crashed the red wide of the top right pocket, striking the jaws as the ball rolled away. However, the red picked up just enough speed to drop into the top left pocket.
« No! Oh my god! » cried an angry Selt, who then slapped his thighs with both hands. The 39-year-old could be heard muttering the same phrase under his breath as Zizins completed the match. He seemed to toss an object onto the table next to him.
« That’s the game, » the referee announced.
Selt initially engaged in pleasantries with his 18-year-old opponent, twice wishing him « good luck » at the tournament in Germany. Zizins bid Selt a « good Christmas ».
However, he could then be heard creating plenty of noise off camera. Zizins stopped to speak with the referee after the match but their conversation was interrupted by extremely loud crashing. It became apparent that Selt had continued his fury away from the table.
« Matthew, please! » demanded the referee. Selt bluntly responded: « Shut up! »
Selt is the world No. 33 and it would likely have been extremely upsetting to miss out on the tournament. His one and only piece of ranking silverware to date is the 2019 Indian Open, in which he defeated reigning champion John Higgins in the semi-final on his way to claiming the crown.
The Essex-born star is a popular player on tour and made his televised World Snooker Championship debut in 2013. However, he is yet to win a match at The Crucible.
Meanwhile, teenager Zizins has enjoyed a hugely impressive year. He earned a two-year World Snooker Tour card at the start of the season and has already beaten some seasoned professionals. The world No. 101 overcame Mark Joyce in Q school and then qualified for the Xi’An Grand Prix by defeating Robbie Williams.
Zizins finished in the last-64 at the English Open in September, beating Williams and Duane Jones.
Source link
