11 months ago
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RONNIE O’SULLIVAN launched a furious X-rated rant against Ali Carter in the blowback to snooker’s Snotgate saga.
There has been bad blood between these cueists for years and it all came to a head after Sunday’s Masters final which the Rocket won 10-7 to claim a record-extending eighth crown.
Alamy
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GettyCarter, 44, alleges O’Sullivan, 48, violently cleared his nose – like a long-distance runner might do – on to the carpet while sitting in his chair in the final frames of the Ally Pally finale.
The Captain raged: “There were a couple of things that happened out there that go unnoticed.
“Well, they don’t go unnoticed but anyone with an eyesight or a brain can see what’s going on. And it’s disgusting quite frankly.
“No-one wants to say anything, do they? 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.
“Did we have any words of exchange? No. I’ve got no words for him at all.”
When this was relayed to the world No1, O’Sullivan personally attacked Carter, stuck up his middle finger in protest and then stormed out of his post-match press conference with family and friends trailing behind.
O’Sullivan, who won the £250,000 top prize, ranted: “I haven’t spoken to him for 20 years. I played with him when he was a kid and shared a lot of stuff with him.
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“For him to come out and try to trash talk me like that, do you know what? He can have one of them.
“He can sit on it as far as I’m concerned. I don’t give a f***. You know what he’s like, everybody knows what he’s like. He’s got issues.
“F***ing why has he got issues with me? I’m not having it. I don’t care, grow some balls.
“I don’t give a f***. The more he brings it on, the more I f***ing punish him every time.
“Absolutely. He’s just digging a grave for himself. He needs to sort his f***ing life out.
“That’s it, I’ve said my piece. I’m not going to skirt around it anymore, tip-toeing on egg shells around someone like that.
“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 and you’re going to write what you’re going to write. I don’t give a s***. I’ve said it now, done.
AFP“End of press conference? I suppose you’ve got your headlines, haven’t you?”
It is understood the fiery comments are now under review by World Snooker Tour officials.
O’Sullivan has been Carter’s bogeyman for years, having dominated all of their matches bar one defeat at senior level.
Famously, there was THAT shoulder-barge during the 2018 World Snooker Championship second round – a contest Carter won – and the world No10, who has twice fought cancer, gives as good as he gets.
O’Sullivan, who plays on Tuesday in the last 32 of the World Grand Prix, has been on edge all week during the Masters for two reasons.
First, he hates the old Ally Pally venue, claiming it is cold, damp and dirty backstage.
Secondly he is engaged in a long-running disciplinary row with WST after speaking his mind about unsanctioned exhibitions.
What may have not helped his mood, especially given the ongoing wrangling off the table, was the fact leading figures of WST were in the vicinity for the final despite not being present for most of the eight-day event.
AlamyOn a separate issue, Carter was furious with rowdy fans who were trying to put him off and stop him from claiming the biggest prize of his life.
The Colchester cueist said: “There were some morons in the crowd. It’s unbelievable really.
“It’s hard enough to beat him but when you’ve people shouting on your shot and saying stupid things at important times.
“If brains were dynamite they wouldn’t have enough to blow their own heads off. It’s ridiculous.”
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