17 Jan 2024

Fiery O'Sullivan words to be investigated by snooker bosses

12:47 pm on 17 January 2024
Ronnie O'Sullivan

Ronnie O'Sullivan Photo: Photosport

Ronnie O'Sullivan's verbal spat with fellow Englishman Ali Carter following his eighth Masters title at the weekend is being looked at by the World Snooker Tour.

O'Sullivan accused Carter of being "not a nice person" and in need of counselling after his opponent criticised the 48-year-old's behaviour during the final at London's Alexandra Palace.

Carter accused the world number one of "snotting" -- clearing his nose -- "all over the floor".

"He (Carter) has got issues. He's got to go and sort his life out," O'Sullivan, nicknamed "The Rocket", said in response to the claims.

"He's got to go and see a counsellor or something. He's got to deal with that because that isn't any good.

"I don't talk to him. I haven't spoken to him for 20 years. I played with him when he was a kid, shared a lot of stuff with him. For him to come out and trash talk me like that, everybody knows what he's like, he's got issues. Why has he got issues with me? I'm not having it. I don't care."

O'Sullivan, who had a run-in with Carter in 2018 when the two players 'shoulder-barged' each other during a match, also accused his opponent of being a nightmare to play against.

"He's a nightmare. To have to play snooker against someone like that is a nightmare. (He's) not a nice person, not a nice vibe that he leaves around the table," the seven-time world champion said.

Asked for a comment on O'Sullivan and Carter's latest stand-off on Tuesday, a World Snooker Tour spokesman said the comments "were under review."

Carter hit back at O'Sullivan later on Tuesday.

"It makes no difference to me what he says -- he says different things on different days," Carter, who lost 10-7, told ITV. "I don't think he even knows what is going to come out of his mouth at certain times.

"I actually feel a bit sorry for him. I don't think he is that well. So we move forward and we go again this week."

- Reuters