Fans Accuse Ronnie O'Sullivan of 'Sabotaging' His Defeat against Mark Selby in Players Championship
- 2 months ago
Ronnie O'Sullivan has been accused of 'sabotaging' his match against Mark Selby in the Players Championship.
On Thursday evening, four-time world champion Selby cruised to a 6-0 victory over O'Sullivan and, in turn, secured his place in the semi-finals of the competition in Telford.
O'Sullivan, who was on a 16-match unbeaten run heading into the clash with Selby, was easily second-best on the night and it was partially down to the game's bizarre start.
In the opening frame, referee Desislava Bozhilova failed to warn the 48-year-old after he fouled on his first two shots, despite having a clear sight of the reds.
In typical circumstances, that would have meant losing the frame. However, the referee quickly realized her error and then informed O'Sullivan that he would forfeit the frame if he didn't hit a red on his next shot.
With that in mind, the seven-time world champion opted to smash into the reds and, in turn, opened up the table - before Selby won the frame with a break of 65.
Before the balls could settle on the table, O'Sullivan had already marched back to his seat and prepared for Selby to take his shot.
As a video of the incident began circulating social media, fans quickly responded to O'Sullivan's decision and claimed that he was 'sabotaging' his own game.
One user on X, formerly known as Twitter, said: 'This is the moment Ronnie sabotaged the match, he couldn't be bothered and Selby knew it and took advantage.'
'He’s a genius no doubt, but massively dislikable. When he’s firing he’s box office to watch. The rest of the time off the table he’s boring and predictable,' another said.
One frustrated fan said: 'He is the greatest snooker player ever but unfortunately his ego is his downfall. The sport made him, not the other way around,'
'It looked like Ronnie wasn’t bothered about tonight for him to lose 6-0 is very unusual but I have to give Shelby credit also for taking the game to Ronnie,' one user said.
Selby will now take on either China’s Zhang Anda or John Higgins in the tournament's semi-final on Saturday.
Earlier in the week, O'Sullivan caused controversy after claiming that he's going 'on strike' from 147 breaks until snooker chiefs increase the prize money.
Last week, O'Sullivan apologized to fans after confirming that he would not participate in the Welsh Open, which began in Llandudno.
Instead of competing in the competition, O'Sullivan opted to take on a punditry role for Eurosport, as Gary Wilson hit the 199th 147 break in the history of the sport.
After the incident, according to The Sun, O'Sullivan was asked about his record of smashing 147s in the sport, to which he said: 'I reckon another five or six, but I went on strike a long time ago.'
The 48-year-old - who has hit 15 maximums during his sensational career - then suggested that snooker chiefs should 'start bumping up the prize money'.
On Thursday evening, four-time world champion Selby cruised to a 6-0 victory over O'Sullivan and, in turn, secured his place in the semi-finals of the competition in Telford.
O'Sullivan, who was on a 16-match unbeaten run heading into the clash with Selby, was easily second-best on the night and it was partially down to the game's bizarre start.
In the opening frame, referee Desislava Bozhilova failed to warn the 48-year-old after he fouled on his first two shots, despite having a clear sight of the reds.
In typical circumstances, that would have meant losing the frame. However, the referee quickly realized her error and then informed O'Sullivan that he would forfeit the frame if he didn't hit a red on his next shot.
With that in mind, the seven-time world champion opted to smash into the reds and, in turn, opened up the table - before Selby won the frame with a break of 65.
Before the balls could settle on the table, O'Sullivan had already marched back to his seat and prepared for Selby to take his shot.
As a video of the incident began circulating social media, fans quickly responded to O'Sullivan's decision and claimed that he was 'sabotaging' his own game.
One user on X, formerly known as Twitter, said: 'This is the moment Ronnie sabotaged the match, he couldn't be bothered and Selby knew it and took advantage.'
'He’s a genius no doubt, but massively dislikable. When he’s firing he’s box office to watch. The rest of the time off the table he’s boring and predictable,' another said.
One frustrated fan said: 'He is the greatest snooker player ever but unfortunately his ego is his downfall. The sport made him, not the other way around,'
'It looked like Ronnie wasn’t bothered about tonight for him to lose 6-0 is very unusual but I have to give Shelby credit also for taking the game to Ronnie,' one user said.
Selby will now take on either China’s Zhang Anda or John Higgins in the tournament's semi-final on Saturday.
Earlier in the week, O'Sullivan caused controversy after claiming that he's going 'on strike' from 147 breaks until snooker chiefs increase the prize money.
Last week, O'Sullivan apologized to fans after confirming that he would not participate in the Welsh Open, which began in Llandudno.
Instead of competing in the competition, O'Sullivan opted to take on a punditry role for Eurosport, as Gary Wilson hit the 199th 147 break in the history of the sport.
After the incident, according to The Sun, O'Sullivan was asked about his record of smashing 147s in the sport, to which he said: 'I reckon another five or six, but I went on strike a long time ago.'
The 48-year-old - who has hit 15 maximums during his sensational career - then suggested that snooker chiefs should 'start bumping up the prize money'.