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Snooker bosses looking into Ronnie O’Sullivan’s expletive-laden Ali Carter rant

Masters champion was hitting back at Carter, who claimed the world number one had “snotted on the floor”

Ronnie O’Sullivan and Ali Carter during the final of the Masters at Alexandra Palace. Photograph: Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Ronnie O’Sullivan and Ali Carter during the final of the Masters at Alexandra Palace. Photograph: Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Tue Jan 16 2024 - 13:05

Ronnie O’Sullivan’s comments in an explosive verbal assault on Ali Carter will be reviewed by the World Snooker Tour (WST).

O’Sullivan described Carter as “a f*****g nightmare” and claimed he needs to “see a counsellor” after beating his bitter rival in Sunday’s Masters final.

The 48-year-old was hitting back at Carter, who claimed the world number one had “snotted on the floor” during their match at Alexandra Palace, which O’Sullivan won 10-7.

The WST said that O’Sullivan’s outburst was “under review” and refused to comment further.

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O’Sullivan told several newspapers: “He needs to sort his f*****g life out. I’m not going to skirt around it any more, tiptoeing on eggshells around someone like that. He’s a f*****g nightmare.

“Playing snooker against someone like that is a nightmare. He’s not a nice person. It’s not a nice vibe he leaves around the table.

“I’ve said my piece, I do’t give a s**t. I’ve said it now, done. You know what he’s like, everybody knows what he’s like.

“He’s got issues. F*****g why has he got issues with me? I’m not having it.

“He’s got beef with me. He’s got issues, he’s got to sort his life out, he’s got to see a counsellor or something. He’s got to sort it out because I haven’t spoken to him for 20 years.”

The pair’s long-running heated rivalry boiled over during their 2018 World Championship match at the Crucible when O’Sullivan barged into Carter at the table.

At Alexandra Palace on Sunday, Carter had a heated exchange with someone in the crowd, who had called out when he was about to take a shot.

Carter, 44, said: “There were a couple of things that happened out there that go unnoticed. Well, they don’t go unnoticed – anyone with an eyesight or a brain can see what’s going on.

“It’s disgusting, quite frankly. No one wants to say anything, do they? [O’Sullivan] snotting all over the floor and all that.

“I mean it’s outrageous behaviour from a top professional. If it gets swept under the carpet then for me, it’s not good.”

O’Sullivan is currently involved in a disciplinary dispute with the game’s governing body, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), over comments he made about unsanctioned exhibition matches.

It is expected the Carter matter will be referred to the WPBSA.