Ronnie O'Sullivan told Ali Carter to “sort his f***king life out” in an extraordinary rant after he was accused of "snotting" on the floor during the Masters final.
'The Rocket' lifted a record-extending eighth Masters title with a 10-7 victory over Ali Carter at the Alexandra Palace.
But the biggest talking point came after the game, when Carter accused his opponent of "outrageous behaviour from a top profesional" during the final frames of Sunday's clash.
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“There were a couple of things that happened out there that go unnoticed," the Colchester-born player said.
“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."
Carter added: “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.”
O'Sullivan was soon told about Carter's comments. In fact, the world number one is said to have 'stuck up his middle finger in protest' before storming out of his post-match press conference.
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He did say this, however. “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.
“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.
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“Absolutely. He’s just digging a grave for himself. He needs to sort his f***ing life out."
O'Sullivan added: “That’s it, I’ve said my piece. I’m not going to skirt around it anymore, tip-toeing on eggshells around someone like that.
“Playing snooker against someone like that is a nightmare. He’s not a nice person.
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“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.
“End of press conference? I suppose you’ve got your headlines, haven’t you?”
O'Sullivan and Carter have clashed on numerous occasions down the years. One such incident came at the World Championship in 2018, when the pair bumped into each other mid-match.
Speaking ahead of that game, Carter claimed O'Sullivan had apologised twice since the incident.
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"Ronnie apologised to me twice afterwards," Carter told Eurosport. "In the UK Championships in the December afterwards, he said sorry about that.
"I had said 'no worries'. In the heat of the moment, it was a bit of fun and it got a lot of people talking and put the spotlight on snooker."
O'Sullivan, however, said Carter did not apologise. "I didn't apologise to Ali and I didn't apologise to Mark Allen either," he said.
Topics: Ronnie O’Sullivan, Snooker
Jack Kenmare