London24NEWS

Watch explosive second fuming British snooker star tells referee to ‘SHUT UP’ and storms off after dropping in opposition to teenage opponent in astonishing meltdown

  • Matthew Selt fumed after losing against an 18-year-old opponent in Sheffield
  • The British snooker player endured a meltdown after losing the contest
  • Selt could be heard telling the referee to ‘shut up’ as he stormed off after losing 

A professional British snooker player told the match referee to ‘shut up’ as he fumed in the immediate aftermath of losing against a teenage opponent.

Matthew Selt was competing at Sheffield’s Ponds Forge tournament against 18-year-old Latvian star Artemijs Zizins who eventually reigned victorious in the contest.

The 39-year-old Brit was attempting to qualify for the German Masters but was left seriously unhappy when a stroke of luck helped Zizins to claim the win in a last frame decider.

With the match tied at 4-4, Zizins needed to pot a red to move onto match ball and initially missed his attempt before the ball fell into a different pocket instead.

The youngster had intended for his shot to sink in the top-right pocket only for it to hit the cushion and slowly roll across the table into the opposite hole.

The stroke of good fortune for the youngster helped him go on to win the game with his shot prompting yells of unsportsmanlike frustration by Selt.

British snooker player Matthew Selt fumed during his recent defeat against a teenager

British snooker player Matthew Selt fumed during his recent defeat against a teenager

Selt rapidly packed up his cue in the immediate aftermath of defeat before storming away

Selt rapidly packed up his cue in the immediate aftermath of defeat before storming away

Video footage shows Selt shouting ‘Oh my God!’ as his opponent’s shot trickles into the pocket, but his anger didn’t stop there with the situation escalating.

An annoyed head shake then followed with Selt appearing to mutter under his breath while Zizins and the match referee awkwardly stood by.

Selt rapidly packed his cue away with his anger evidently simmering as he looked to make a quick exit just seconds after his defeat was confirmed. 

The two players eventually shook hands with Zizins wishing Selt ‘a good Christmas’ with the British loser mutely replying ‘and you’.

However, the most stunning outburst was still to come as noises were heard off camera as Selt stormed away from the table before the referee stated: ‘Matthew please’.

Video footage shows Selt shouting 'Oh my God!' as his opponent benefitted from a stroke of good fortune

Video footage shows Selt shouting ‘Oh my God!’ as his opponent benefitted from a stroke of good fortune

A voice believed to be Selt responded by rudely shouting: ‘shut up’ before the video footage cut off.

Supporters fumed at the exchange on X with one comment stating: ‘There should be consequences for behaviour like that. Apart from anything else, look at the impact on the younger player. Classy, Matt.’

Another post on the social media platform similarly added: ‘That’s snooker, everyone gets a little luck. Selt must have had the same luck at some time in his career. 

‘To act like that when his opponent is at the table is not acceptable. He should know better and a fine must be given out.’