Snooker star Matthew Salt is set to be investigated by the World Snooker Tour after he exploded at an autistic fan and called him a ‘mong’ and a ‘pervert’ in a startling series of direct messages on social media.
The World No. 21 also snapped at six-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, calling the 46-year-old a ‘c*** of a human’ in the disgusting outburst. Selt was unaware of the fan’s autism when he replied to the messages.
The incident came about after a fan replied to Selt’s Instagram story, which showed O’Sullivan making an inappropriate gesture that was caught on camera after missing the pot on black during his World Championship first round win over David Gilbert.
After Selt posted the story with an accompanying caption that read ‘what an ambassador’, the fan replied by writing: ‘When’s your match Matt??’ along with a laughing emoji as he playfully poked fun at the 37-year-old’s absence from the World Championship.
“Rather not play than be an absolute c*** of a human,” Selt replied before adding that the six-time world champion was the ‘biggest p****’ on tour’. The fan proceeded to imply Selt was jealous, to which the pro said: “Yea very jealous.”
After he was sent a thumbs up emoji, Selt fired off a series of hurtful messages at the unnamed fan. They showcase how he was triggered by the fan’s support of O’Sullivan, with Selt cruelly writing: “F***ing doughnut. Another Ronnie king. Mong.”
The fan told the Daily Star of his condition, which was why he felt particularly offended when Selt referred to him as a ‘mong’. The fan is also raising money for autism awareness.
“Enjoy your golf mate,” wrote the snooker follower as he attempted to prematurely end the feud. Selt then asked the fan to unfollow him on Instagram, to which the fan replied: “I would say please give up snooker but you kinda already have!”
Selt, who reached the final of the Turkish Open in March, wrote: “You’re a boring c*** aren’t you. Dear me. Struggled this year. 16th highest player in the world. F***ing muppet.”
Despite his clear disdain towards O’Sullivan, Selt was questioned why he was watching the World No. 1 by the fan. Selt conceded Rocket is ‘great to watch’ before labelling him a ‘c***’ for a second time - before also writing ‘just like you’ along with five laughing emojis.
Sensing a level of jealousy from Selt, the unnamed fan asked him how many snooker fans ‘have Matt Selt posters?’ - to which the Romford-born star said: “Oops, do you want me to send you one?”
The fan sarcastically said he would ‘love it’, before Selt rather bizarrely suggested the fan would ‘probably w*** over it’ and called him a ‘pervert’.
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The supporter joked that Selt was a ‘great ambassador’ for the sport, jovially referencing Selt’s own story. The snooker professional responded by saying: “Replying to my fans? That's what I do.
“I do. Give the people what the want.”
The snooker fan then threatened to expose the messages on social media by stating ‘ Twitter will love this’. Selt replied by saying ‘who cares mate’, before the fan recalled the collection of vile names used against him by the professional.
A spokesman for the World Snooker Tour said: “This matter has been referred to the WPBSA’s Head of Integrity and will be investigated.” Selt did not comment when approached by the Daily Mirror.
