diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 4b2c8ba..0b82bc1 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-    \# Contributing to aMQTT
+# Contributing to aMQTT
 
 :+1::tada: First off, thanks for taking the time to contribute! :tada::+1:
 
diff --git a/amqtt/broker.py b/amqtt/broker.py
index a1370a1..8642eb9 100644
--- a/amqtt/broker.py
+++ b/amqtt/broker.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ from functools import partial
 import logging
 import re
 import ssl
-from typing import Any, ClassVar, TypeAlias
+from typing import Any, ClassVar
 
 from transitions import Machine, MachineError
 import websockets.asyncio.server
@@ -825,20 +825,6 @@ class Broker:
             self.logger.debug(f"Unsubscription on topic '{a_filter}' for client {format_client_message(session=session)}")
         return deleted
 
-    def matches(self, topic, a_filter):
-        if "#" not in a_filter and "+" not in a_filter:
-            # if filter doesn't contain wildcard, return exact match
-            return a_filter == topic
-        else:
-            # else use regex
-            match_pattern = re.compile(
-                re.escape(a_filter)
-                .replace("\\#", "?.*")
-                .replace("\\+", "[^/]*")
-                .lstrip("?")
-            )
-            return match_pattern.fullmatch(topic)
-
     async def _broadcast_loop(self) -> None:
         """Run the main loop to broadcast messages."""
         running_tasks: deque[asyncio.Task[OutgoingApplicationMessage]] = self._tasks_queue