Matthew Selt, a controversial figure in professional snooker, has been removed from his position as vice-chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (Players). Selt was only appointed to the position last year, but he will leave with immediate effect.
A statement from the WPBSA players’ association read: “On 6 May 2025 The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (Players) Limited (the “company”) held a general meeting of its members at which an ordinary resolution to remove Mr. Matthew Selt from the office of director was passed, with immediate effect.
“The company will proceed in accordance with its governance and regulatory obligations following this change and no further comment will be made at this time.”
No explanation was given for Selt’s dismissal, though former world No. 1 Mark Allen has spoken out and criticised the fact that not a single player was given a vote on the matter.
Taking to X (formerly known as Twitter), Allen re-posted the statement and wrote: “Although factually correct, the WPBSA’s players only member is the WPBSA. No players got a vote on this.”
In February, Selt was given a three-month suspended ban and fined £10,000 for “rude and aggressive” behaviour at the 2024 Saudi Arabia Masters. He was charged with three breaches of the code of conduct at September’s Riyadh event.
The world No. 34 was accused of displaying aggressive behaviour and using rude and abusive language towards an executive from promoter Matchroom and a fellow WPBSA member.
Having lost 5-3 to Pang Junxu from China, Selt was also accused of sending an abusive text to a fellow member of the WPBSA players’ association.
Selt accepted all three charges and made a “full and wholehearted apology” to the persons involved, with it accepted that Selt was under “a significant amount of stress and pressure” at the time of the event. He was also ordered to pay £11,000 towards the WPBSA’s legal costs.
Selt, who was beaten 10-4 by Xiao Guodong in the first round of the World Championship, also apologised immediately for his behaviour after coming through the qualifiers to reach the Crucible.
