Kyren Wilson blasts celebration police: ‘What planet are these people on?’

Kyren Wilson is not going to stop celebrating when he wins snooker matches, asking of his critics: ‘What planet are these people on?’

The Warrior’s World Championship campaign is at an end after a 13-9 defeat to Mark Allen in the second round.

That came after a 10-7 victory over debutant Stan Moody in his opener, which saw the 2024 world champion battle back from 7-3 behind.

As Moody surged into the big lead it looked likely to be a painful early exit for Wilson, but he dug in and his experience paid against the 19-year-old.

After potting the black to win the 17th and final frame, Wilson gave a fist pump as he looked up to someone in the crowd, before turning to shake Moody’s hand.

He then raised his hand to the crowd a couple more times on his way out of the arena and this was enough to rile up some fans who thought he had over-celebrated against the youngster.

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Wilson is not on board with that opinion at all, not seeing any issue in how he celebrated a big win, in the sport’s greatest event, no matter who he was playing.

‘I mean, what planet are these people on?’ Wilson asked. ‘You’re in the World Championships. Do you not celebrate?

‘If Ronnie celebrates against me when he’s 20 years my superior, is that wrong of him? I don’t understand it whatsoever.

‘You know, if Stan celebrated and it was against me, is he wrong? I don’t know. At the end of the day, it shows how much I want to win.

‘I’ve got my kids cheering me on at home, dressed in full attire. I want to give them something to celebrate.

‘So I couldn’t care less if people don’t appreciate it. In my opinion, don’t watch me.’

Shaun Murphy has already backed Wilson over any criticism he has received, saying earlier this week: ‘I think when you’re overcome with emotion, even if you don’t shake [hands], it’s not meant in malice. There’s no malice behind it.

‘I’ve known Kyren since he was a boy, there would be no malice meant behind it.

‘He’s just won a match from 6-2 behind in the first round. He’s entitled to celebrate. I don’t think he will have meant anything by it.’

Wilson and Allen embraced after their contest, with the Englishman revealing what he said to the winner.

‘In that third session I felt like he upped his rhythm a little bit, scored a bit more freely and kind of just looked a little bit more confident.

‘So I just said, “listen, if you play like that, you’ve got every chance of winning it,” because we all know what a gritty, determined character he is and what bottle he’s got.

‘I’d love to see him win it.’

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