A fuming snooker star told a referee to ‘shut up’ after losing a German Masters qualifying tie to a teenager.
Matthew Selt could be heard off camera shouting at the referee and making banging noises after a disappointing defeat in Sheffield against 18-year-old Latvian Artemijs Zizins. World Championship competitor Selt, who defeated John Higgins on his way to the Indian Open title in 2019, and Zizins were playing a best-of-nine match to decide who would head to Germany at the end of January – with the 39-year-old letting out an incredible outburst as the deciding frame got away from him in unfortunate circumstances.
Zizins was lucky to win the deciding frame as he crashed the red wide of the top right pocket, striking the jaws as the ball rolled away before it picked up just enough speed to drop into the top left pocket. Selt, defeated by Stephen Maguire in the 2014 Lisbon Open final, could immediately be heard shouting: “No! Oh my god!” before slapping his legs in frustration. The 39-year-old could then be heard muttering the same phrase under his breath as Zizins completed the match to secure victory.
Essex-born Selt shook hands with Zizins after the game, twice wishing him “good luck” at the tournament in Germany whilst the Latvian wished his opponent a “good Christmas”. However, in a comedic twist, crashing noises could be heard off camera as it focused on the world number 101’s conversation with the referee – with the chat interrupted by extremely loud clattering as Selt continued to express his frustration away from the table. “Matthew, please” demanded the referee to which Selt shouted back: “Shut up!”
Selt turned pro in 2002 but would have to wait until 2019 to win his first ranking title, with victory at the Indian Open – during which he knocked out defending champion John Higgins at the semi-final stage. He made his debut at the televised stages of the World Championship at the Crucible in 2013, but is yet to win a match at snooker’s most iconic venue, narrowly losing 10-9 to former finalist Barry Hawkins in 2015.