Matthew Selt Apologizes to Jimmy Robertson After Controversial World Snooker Qualifier Win: ‘I Feel Genuinely Gutted’

Matthew Selt has issued a heartfelt apology to Jimmy Robertson following accusations of gamesmanship during their tense World Snooker Championship qualifier. The match, which saw Selt make a remarkable comeback from an 8-3 deficit to eventually win 10-9, was one of the most dramatic of the qualifiers. While the victory secured Selt’s place at the prestigious Crucible, the 40-year-old expressed little joy over his triumph, instead focusing on the tension that arose during the match.

Robertson, who had been in control with an 8-3 lead, saw his performance falter as Selt mounted his comeback. After the match, Robertson confronted Selt, telling him that his actions were distracting and putting him off his game. Selt, who had no intention of causing disruption, was taken aback by Robertson’s words but acknowledged that his behavior might have subconsciously affected his opponent.

In a statement to the World Snooker Tour, Selt said, “I have to apologise and say sorry to Jimmy. 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.” He went on to explain that Robertson had pulled him aside during the match to voice his concerns, leaving Selt with a sense of regret. “I feel genuinely gutted,” he admitted, acknowledging that while he wasn’t trying to disrupt the flow of the game, he understood that his actions may have played a role in Robertson’s decline.

Despite his victory, Selt’s focus was less on the win itself and more on the impact his actions may have had on his opponent’s performance. “I wasn’t doing anything completely out of order, but my feeling is pretty flatline. I just want to send my apologies to Jimmy,” he concluded. This apology highlighted the sportsmanship that still exists in the game, with Selt demonstrating a level of empathy rarely seen in the highly competitive world of professional snooker.