WPBSA Statement | Matthew Selt
In October 2024 Matthew Selt was charged with breaches of the WPBSA Conduct Regulations and his contract with World Snooker. This arose from incidents that took place at the Saudi Masters Snooker event in August/September 2024. Mr Selt is the Vice Chairman of the WPBSA Players, the players association.
There were three charges:
- That he was aggressive in his behaviour and was rude and abusive in his language towards a Matchroom Senior Executive in the presence of an important WST Partner.
- That he sent an abusive text to a WPBSA Member
- That he was aggressive in his behaviour and was rude and abusive in his language towards a WPBSA Member.
On 18th February 2025 he fully accepted the allegations made against him and made a full and wholehearted apology to the persons concerned. It was accepted that Mr Selt was under a significant amount of stress and pressure at the time of the incidents.
The sanction imposed was:
- a suspension of three (3) months suspended until the end of the 2025/2026 snooker season, such suspension to be reactivated upon Mr Selt being found guilty of, or pleading guilty to, any further breaches of the Regulations and/or Contract in that period;
- a fine of £10,000;
- to pay £11,000 towards the WPBSA’s legal costs
Extracts from the WPBSA Conduct Regulations and WSL Players Contract
WPBSA Conduct Regulations
1.1 Members shall, at all times (i.e. whether at a Tournament or not), behave in a proper and correct manner consistent with their status as a professional sportsperson.
1.3. A Member shall not make or cause to be made any statement or commit or cause to be committed any act which in the reasonable view of the WPBSA is likely to bring into disrepute the games of snooker and/or billiards”.
WSL Players Contract
3.1.5 Behave in a professional and reputable manner befitting a professional sportsperson.
3.1.10 Treat all Snooker Parties, the public and any other people associated with WSL Events with respect and not communicate or behave in an abusive, insulting, disrespectful, racist, sexist, homophobic, intimidating, threatening or violent manner.
