Ronnie O'Sullivan and Ali Carter called to hold emergency meeting as snooker row turns nasty

Ronnie O'Sullivan and Ali Carter called to hold emergency meeting as snooker row turns nasty

Watch now: Ronnie O'Sullivan lifts an eighth Masters title

Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 16/01/2024

- 19:56

Updated: 17/01/2024

- 12:47

World Snooker are reviewing Ronnie O'Sullivan's foul-mouthed rant about Ali Carter after the duo clashed in the Masters final.

Alan McManus has called on Ronnie O'Sullivan and Ali Carter to put their egos to one side and settle their differences over a "beer" in a clear-the-air meeting.

Bad blood between O'Sullivan and Carter dating back years came to a head at the Masters final on Sunday when the former criticised his opponent's antics in the match.


O'Sullivan reacted furiously in an explosive press conference where he called on Carter to "sort his f***ing life out".

He said: "He’s a nightmare. Playing snooker against someone like that is a nightmare.

Ronnie O'Sullivan and Ali Carter are involved in an ugly row

Ronnie O'Sullivan and Ali Carter are involved in an ugly row

PA

"He’s not a nice person. It’s not a nice vibe he leaves around the table."

Carter issued a retort to O'Sullivan's outburst ahead of his opening World Grand Prix match, stating his rival was "not well mentally".

The pair could meet again if they reach the World Grand Prix final this week in Leicester as they're on opposite sides of the draw.

The row between the two players has stolen the headlines from the event itself and McManus, who won the Masters back in 1994, wants the pair of them to settle their differences face-to-face.

"Very strong words on both sides of the fence there," McManus said on ITV.

"I think because they've both been around for 30 years or so - they're men now, they've got their feelings and they will air them.

"What I would like to see, which probably isn't going to happen, is one of them saying to the other 'listen, come with me. I'm going to buy you a beer and we're going to talk this one out'."

Ken Doherty similarly wants snooker to move on from the row with the focus turned to the action on the cloth.

Ronnie O'Sullivan launched a foul-mouthed tirade in his press conference

Ronnie O'Sullivan launched a foul-mouthed tirade in his press conference

PA

He said: "I think when you play professional sport you have to have a hard exterior.

"When someone trash talks you, you just give your opinion and lets get on with it.

"More important things to do on the green baize than off it."

Ali Carter has not seen eye-to-eye with Ronnie O'Sullivan for years

Ali Carter has not seen eye-to-eye with Ronnie O'Sullivan for years

PA

O'Sullivan's win at the Masters has put him on the verge of completing the clean sweep of Triple Crown titles in the same season for the first time in his illustrious career.

Mark Williams, Stephen Hendry and Steve Davis are the only players to have won all three Triple Crown in a single season.

Williams was the last man to achieve the feat back in 2003 with O'Sullivan coming close to the record in the 2007/08 season, only to lose in the first round of the Masters that year.

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