Mark Allen takes issue as controversial snooker star ousted from key role

Irish Daily Mirror

10-05-2025

Matthew Selt, a contentious figure in the world of professional snooker, has been ousted from his role as vice-chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (Players) while Mark Allen has taken issue with the decision making process.
Despite only assuming the position last year, Selt's departure is effective immediately. The WPBSA players' association released a statement saying: "On 6 May 2025 The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (Players) Limited held a general meeting of its members at which an ordinary resolution to remove Mr. Matthew Selt from the office of director was passed, with immediate effect.
"The company will proceed in accordance with its governance and regulatory obligations following this change and no further comment will be made at this time."
The reasons behind Selt's dismissal remain undisclosed. However, former world No. 1 Mark Allen has publicly criticised the lack of player involvement in the decision-making process.
Allen took to X, reposting the statement and commenting: "Although factually correct, the WPBSA's players only member is the WPBSA. No players got a vote on this."
Earlier this year, Selt received a three-month suspended ban and a £10,000 fine for his "rude and aggressive" conduct at the 2024 Saudi Arabia Masters.
He faced three charges of breaching the code of conduct during the Riyadh event in September.
The world No. 34 faced accusations of aggressive behaviour and using abusive language towards a Matchroom executive and a fellow WPBSA member. Following his 5-3 loss to China's Pang Junxu, Selt was also accused of sending an abusive text to a fellow WPBSA players' association member.
Selt accepted all three charges and offered a "full and wholehearted apology" to those involved, with the acknowledgement that he was under significant stress and pressure at the time. He was also required to pay £11,000 towards the WPBSA's legal costs.
After qualifying for the Crucible, Selt, who lost 10-4 to Xiao Guodong in the first round, immediately apologised for his behaviour.
The 40 year old said in a statement: "I have to apologise and say sorry to Jimmy [Robertson]. He said that I was distracting him and putting him off. So this win, there is no good feeling whatsoever towards it.
"My emotions are pretty numb, to be honest. Jimmy pulled me to one side after one of the frames and had a word. He said: 'What are you doing? You're basically putting me off.' Which I obviously wasn't trying to do, but obviously got to him.
"I feel genuinely gutted, to be honest. I'm happy to win but not to the point where my actions may have contributed towards his declining performance. That's sport, I suppose. I wasn't doing anything completely out of order. But my feeling is pretty flatline and I just want to send my apologies to Jimmy."