Raging snooker star tells referee to ‘shut up’ after rival flukes match ball
Matthew Selt was left seething after a narrow defeat to Artemijs Zizins in the German Masters qualifying round with the world No. 33 throwing an audacious tantrum
Snooker ace Matthew Selt lost his cool and told the ref to “shut up” after a gutting defeat during the German Masters qualifiers.
The star was absolutely livid, with off-camera commotion hinting at his frustration. Selt was battling it out with Latvian hotshot Artemijs Zizins in a nail-biting best-of-nine match in Sheffield, aiming for a spot in Germany.
But as luck would have it, Selt watched in horror as the final frame slipped from his grasp due to a fluke shot.
Zizins fluffed his lines on what should have been the winning red, only for the ball to ricochet and drop into an opposite pocket. “No! Oh my god!” Selt exploded, followed by a thigh-slapping tantrum.
He was heard repeating the exclamation under his breath while Zizins wrapped up the game. Selt appeared to chuck something onto a nearby table in dismay.
“That’s the game,” declared the ref, as Selt managed to muster up some sportsmanship, wishing the 18 year old “good luck” in Germany. Zizins returned the sentiment with to wish his opponent a “good Christmas.”
But then, all hell broke loose off-camera with a racket that stopped Zizins and the ref mid-chat. It was clear Selt’s rage hadn’t subsided one bit.
“Matthew, please!” the referee implored, only to be met with a sharp “Shut up!” from the seething Selt.
Selt, the world’s 33rd ranked player, would have been gutted to miss out on the tournament. His only ranking trophy so far is the 2019 Indian Open, where he beat reigning champ John Higgins in the semi-finals to take the title.
The Essex lad, a favourite on the tour, made his first appearance at the World Snooker Championship on telly in 2013, but has yet to win a match at The Crucible. On the other hand, young gun Zizins has had a cracking year.
He bagged a two-year World Snooker Tour card at the start of the season and has already taken down some seasoned pros. The world No.
The World No.101 beat Mark Joyce in Q school and then qualified for the Xi’An Grand Prix by defeating Robbie Williams. Zizins made it to the last-64 at the English Open in September, beating Williams and Duane Jones.
