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https://wst.tv/world-snooker-tour-wst-statement/
Tuesday 10 Oct 2023 07:35PM
The WST is disappointed to hear that a number of players under contract with the WST have elected not to play in a WST event, preferring instead to play in a non-sanctioned event in Macau thereby being in breach of the terms of their player contract.
Following recent speculation and the publication of an article containing many inaccuracies, the WST would like to make its position clear regarding non-sanctioned exhibition events.
It is important to stress that WST players do not have to enter all WST events, they have the freedom to choose, which has always been the case. This level of freedom is unlike any other sport where players have voluntarily opted to enter contracts with their club/organisation. However, with this level of freedom we do make clear in our player contracts that a player must not do anything that is detrimental to the WST or a WST event. It is without doubt that playing in a non-sanctioned event instead of playing in a WST event is detrimental to that WST event.
Given the exhibition event in Macau directly clashes with the final stages of the Northern Ireland Open, a player’s participation in it would constitute a breach of their player contract given that to compete in Macau, the player would not be available to compete in the Northern Ireland Open thereby devaluing the Northern Ireland Open.
Unfortunately, despite engaging in email correspondence and phone calls intended to best explain our position and enable the players to make informed decisions, five players (four of whom are ranked within the top 16) have decided not to compete in the Northern Ireland Open and have withdrawn their entry in order to play in Macau. These players are Mark Selby, John Higgins, Luca Brecel, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh and Ali Carter, none of whom will therefore appear in Belfast.
As a result, if these players decide to participate in the exhibition in Macau, the WST will have no alternative but to refer them to the WPBSA Disciplinary Committee for breach of their player contract, and this has been clearly communicated to the players.
Taking necessary action in these circumstances protects WST events on behalf of the fans who attend and follow our events through television and social media, our sponsors/commercial partners, broadcasters/streaming partners and most importantly, the other 125 members of the WST.
WST has always been and will continue to be supportive of a player’s earning opportunities outside of the WST provided that these do not distract, devalue, or conflict with the WST or a WST event. Players and promoters have ample opportunity to play in and host non-sanctioned events during gaps in the WST calendar. The WST does not therefore support any clash with a WST event and would consider a player’s decision to prioritise a non-sanctioned event clashing with a WST event to be a breach of their player contract, as this would undoubtedly result in sizeable financial implications to the WST including loss of broadcast income, and sponsorship and ticket sales revenue let alone losses due to any reputational damage.
We reiterate that we are running the sport for all 130 players on the WST, and this will always be our guiding principle.
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https://wst.tv/world-snooker-tour-wst-statement/
Tuesday 10 Oct 2023 07:35PM
The WST is disappointed to hear that a number of players under contract with the WST have elected not to play in a WST event, preferring instead to play in a non-sanctioned event in Macau thereby being in breach of the terms of their player contract.
Following recent speculation and the publication of an article containing many inaccuracies, the WST would like to make its position clear regarding non-sanctioned exhibition events.
It is important to stress that WST players do not have to enter all WST events, they have the freedom to choose, which has always been the case. This level of freedom is unlike any other sport where players have voluntarily opted to enter contracts with their club/organisation. However, with this level of freedom we do make clear in our player contracts that a player must not do anything that is detrimental to the WST or a WST event. It is without doubt that playing in a non-sanctioned event instead of playing in a WST event is detrimental to that WST event.
Given the exhibition event in Macau directly clashes with the final stages of the Northern Ireland Open, a player’s participation in it would constitute a breach of their player contract given that to compete in Macau, the player would not be available to compete in the Northern Ireland Open thereby devaluing the Northern Ireland Open.
Unfortunately, despite engaging in email correspondence and phone calls intended to best explain our position and enable the players to make informed decisions, five players (four of whom are ranked within the top 16) have decided not to compete in the Northern Ireland Open and have withdrawn their entry in order to play in Macau. These players are Mark Selby, John Higgins, Luca Brecel, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh and Ali Carter, none of whom will therefore appear in Belfast.
As a result, if these players decide to participate in the exhibition in Macau, the WST will have no alternative but to refer them to the WPBSA Disciplinary Committee for breach of their player contract, and this has been clearly communicated to the players.
Taking necessary action in these circumstances protects WST events on behalf of the fans who attend and follow our events through television and social media, our sponsors/commercial partners, broadcasters/streaming partners and most importantly, the other 125 members of the WST.
WST has always been and will continue to be supportive of a player’s earning opportunities outside of the WST provided that these do not distract, devalue, or conflict with the WST or a WST event. Players and promoters have ample opportunity to play in and host non-sanctioned events during gaps in the WST calendar. The WST does not therefore support any clash with a WST event and would consider a player’s decision to prioritise a non-sanctioned event clashing with a WST event to be a breach of their player contract, as this would undoubtedly result in sizeable financial implications to the WST including loss of broadcast income, and sponsorship and ticket sales revenue let alone losses due to any reputational damage.
We reiterate that we are running the sport for all 130 players on the WST, and this will always be our guiding principle.
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Minimum prize money in Macau, i think, is £20K plus I'm assuming expenses on top of that. Semi finalists in Belfast got £17.5K last year. Easy enough to see where the players are coming from anyway and question is, will they stand up to WST strong arm tactics or fold like a cheap suit as has happened so often in the past? No legal expert but WST case doesn't look all that strong to me. Be interesting to see what would happen if this was to end up going that far, but way they run the show, you can't say something like this wasn't coming. I see Rynos name is on the list for Macau but not mentioned in WST statement. Either he pulled out or they forgot he exists which would be quite the insult!
WST has the moral, if not legal, high ground, I'd say. But yes, not hard to see why players would prefer to go to Macau on financial grounds alone.
Yeah, it looks a bit grubby for players to be constantly moaning about demands and schedules and yet, for the right cash, they'll hop on a long haul flight at a moments notice. But not sure the moral high ground counts for a lot here. Funny thing is Ronnie pulled out of British Open on health grounds but was in Macau that same week playing an exhibition with Jimmy. Did wst just let that pass or did it heighten resolve to confront the next issue head on? It would seem in WST interests to seek a deal with whoever is pushing the game in macau, but they evidently see them as rivals who need to be taken on.
The "retired" Bazza has his say. Says the players are being selfish which i thought would go down as a compliment in his world. Dunno if he really believes they'd ban or chuck players out over this, but it would certainly be quite the ballsy move if they did.
Sorry, link
https://metro.co.uk/2023/10/11/snooker-stars-face-being-fined-banned-or-thrown-out-over-macau-event-says-barry-hearn-19643651/
https://metro.co.uk/2023/10/11/snooker-stars-face-being-fined-banned-or-thrown-out-over-macau-event-says-barry-hearn-19643651/
I guess the one who it reflects upon worst is Luca, who, as WC, lots of people around the world are going to want to see, and who should effectively (IMHO) be carrying out an ambassadorial role this season. He's already failing at that, TBH.
Friday 13 Oct 2023 03:43PM
WST can confirm that the Macau event previously scheduled for 27-29 October will now take place on the 22-24 December with players having received WST permission to enter.
As has been the case throughout, and contrary to reports, WST has dealt with all parties in a respectful and productive manner to reach an outcome which is satisfactory to all parties. As previously stated, due to contractual obligations, the original dates promoted would have been unacceptable and potentially lead to disciplinary action for those players choosing to compete in this event rather than the Northern Ireland Open. As such we are pleased a mutually agreeable solution has been reached to avoid further action.
WST will always work with players to satisfy their needs and we give permission on multiple occasions during the season for these types of events, but on this occasion, we could not do so and raised our concerns with the players and promoter in an appropriate manner which has now led to the postponement.
The players who have withdrawn from the Northern Ireland Open will remain unentered for this event.
WST can confirm that the Macau event previously scheduled for 27-29 October will now take place on the 22-24 December with players having received WST permission to enter.
As has been the case throughout, and contrary to reports, WST has dealt with all parties in a respectful and productive manner to reach an outcome which is satisfactory to all parties. As previously stated, due to contractual obligations, the original dates promoted would have been unacceptable and potentially lead to disciplinary action for those players choosing to compete in this event rather than the Northern Ireland Open. As such we are pleased a mutually agreeable solution has been reached to avoid further action.
WST will always work with players to satisfy their needs and we give permission on multiple occasions during the season for these types of events, but on this occasion, we could not do so and raised our concerns with the players and promoter in an appropriate manner which has now led to the postponement.
The players who have withdrawn from the Northern Ireland Open will remain unentered for this event.
Wow - they get to miss both the NI open and Christmas!
Sounds like it was all very "respectful and productive".
Sounds like it was all very "respectful and productive".
would always support players on taking financial opps outside of main tour events but de-valuing the tour lacks vision, inevitable devaluing of your own events and very selfish imo...
pleased there is at least some resolution by the sounds...
appreciate some will disagree but there are limitless opps between may and Sept and the moment the credibility of the main tour is in doubt - there are numerous issues in terms of sponsorship (aka prize money) that start to develop...tour has a chance now post covid to really expand - would be crazy to damage the brand so brutally for such obvious personal gain...
I would respect their right to play as they choose...but if they sack off a tournament while playing exhibitions would impose a year ban on their participation in the main tour personally ...
pleased there is at least some resolution by the sounds...
appreciate some will disagree but there are limitless opps between may and Sept and the moment the credibility of the main tour is in doubt - there are numerous issues in terms of sponsorship (aka prize money) that start to develop...tour has a chance now post covid to really expand - would be crazy to damage the brand so brutally for such obvious personal gain...
I would respect their right to play as they choose...but if they sack off a tournament while playing exhibitions would impose a year ban on their participation in the main tour personally ...
This all boils down to one very simple, age-old thing: power and who gets to wield it most effectively. Same as darts, golf and other sports which have seen major upheavals in recent years. Players are selfish and tend to look after No.1 - well, hold the back page Bazza! I had to laugh at ole Baz been wheeled out of semi-retirement to lecture us all on greed last week, given this was the guy who never thought twice about threatening to withdraw his players from tournaments if the ruling body didn't give him what he wanted. And they usually folded because Baz was the one who held the power. I don't know what went on behind the scenes last week. Maybe common sense prevailed and they reached a satisfactory compromise, but I suspect it was communicated to the players that they would face heavy sanctions if they went ahead and, instead of calling World Snookers bluff, they folded like cheap suits, as so often happens in these cases. The reality is players do wield power, but only as a united front and, in an individual and relatively isolated sport like snooker, that's a very hard thing to achieve. I'd say the governing body is safe for now, but it seems a very adversarial regime and dissatisfaction among the players, even the more mild-mannered ones, has never seemed higher so I wouldn't be smug or complacent if I were in their shoes anyway.
I see Shon has been quite vocal about the appearance (or more the disappearance of Steve Dawson) of Baz....
There is undoubtedly mounting pressure about the amount of money (or lack thereof) in the game, and if third parties are able to stage more lucrative events (suddenly Ronnie's comments about promoters and events in the Far East make a whole lot more sense, right?!), then you can understand why heads are being turned. BUT, my own thinking is more aligned with Brentford's TBH.
There is undoubtedly mounting pressure about the amount of money (or lack thereof) in the game, and if third parties are able to stage more lucrative events (suddenly Ronnie's comments about promoters and events in the Far East make a whole lot more sense, right?!), then you can understand why heads are being turned. BUT, my own thinking is more aligned with Brentford's TBH.
Yikes!
https://x.com/senornunes/status/1714718018633113676?s=20
https://x.com/senornunes/status/1714718018633113676?s=20
"Beep, beep, beep! This vehicle is reversing! Beep, beep, beep!" 
Must admit, I don't think I specifically read anything he'd written on the matter.
Must admit, I don't think I specifically read anything he'd written on the matter.
Not sure it was as much the pieces themselves as all the follow up tweets basically calling on World Snooker to put up or shut up, come out and deny the claims etc. Hector might fancy himself as a latter day Clive Everton, but he'll have to be a bit more savvy than that!
The second piece they mention was the one with Ronnie accusing them of "blackmail", among other stuff. Does beg question of what or any communication they might have had with him, but they went for the messenger anyway and took out the low hanging fruit. To encourager les autres i guess
The second piece they mention was the one with Ronnie accusing them of "blackmail", among other stuff. Does beg question of what or any communication they might have had with him, but they went for the messenger anyway and took out the low hanging fruit. To encourager les autres i guess
Hector now saying he's giving up the snooker writing, just a coincidence he says, while World Snooker says it's going after Allen after a piece he did yesterday. Allen's been down this road before with very mixed results at best, but he is stubborn enough probably to take this further than most other players. What would he achieve on his own though? Lot of noise been made but none of it is very coherent or particularly convincing at present.
Just looking at some of the replies to Hector's Tweet of yesterday....
Deco800
@Deco800_
·
19h
We all know you report the truth Hector. Plenty out there know about WS and their practices. The courtsiding monopolies for former players, the verbal warnings that failed before the bans, the money being farmed out to shareholders while players haven’t a pot to p in
That line caught my eye!
Deco800
@Deco800_
·
19h
We all know you report the truth Hector. Plenty out there know about WS and their practices. The courtsiding monopolies for former players, the verbal warnings that failed before the bans, the money being farmed out to shareholders while players haven’t a pot to p in
That line caught my eye!
I do follow that account on twitter as well as another guy Craig Edwards who writes the occasional blog lifting the lid on what goes on behind the scenes. Don't know who their sources are and I'd probably be willing to believe at least 50% of what they write but question is, which 50%. I don't think courtsiding is illegal, though they banned it in tennis i think, but it would certainly be questionable ethics to be facilitating sich a service for ex players, whoever they might be. Hardly likely to be well known names, you'd think, otherwise they'd be regularly spotted at matches. Unless there's some vip room to facilitate them, like they used to do at certain race tracks, but hard to know really.
Interesting, mate. I don't do Twitter at all, other than for business purposes.
There's no disputing the fact that the pictures can be cranked up and wound back at someone's will, and they stop-start any time it looks like something vaguely interesting might happen, so nothing would surprise me....
There's no disputing the fact that the pictures can be cranked up and wound back at someone's will, and they stop-start any time it looks like something vaguely interesting might happen, so nothing would surprise me....
Twitters a load of shyte mate, you're better off away from it, i just follow a few a/cs where you might get the occasional nugget, but mostly it's a waste of time. Nothing would surprise me either, the liquidity hardly suggests people are mopping up fortunes, but I'm sure there are tidy enough profits to be made if you put the time into it and get the opportunity.
Nothing major in this, few interesting comments and a fair balanced piece i thought compared to the stuff you see in the UK tabs. Even manage to get a Steve Dawson quote in it so Interpol can update their missing persons list
https://www.rte.ie/sport/snooker/2023/1029/1412369-belfast-caught-in-the-crossfire-of-calendar-dispute/
https://www.rte.ie/sport/snooker/2023/1029/1412369-belfast-caught-in-the-crossfire-of-calendar-dispute/
How long have I been banging on about the need for an Asian "swing"?!? 
I swear when i read that i said robbo must have been reading your posts
Thing is, mate, it's not rocket science, is it? Judd's bit seems to echo quite a lot of what we've been saying, too, about how there aren't enough tournies for the lower-ranked players....
Exactly mate. I just think it's good to hear this from players other than ronnie or allen who just go ott too much of the time and end up rowing back, in Allen's case at least! They can probably limp on as things stand, but i think it's obvious nobody is really happy with the calendar and they really do need to listen to them and put in the proper changes.
"Need to" and "will" are probably two completely different things in WST world.... We can but hope!
True mate. Could be wrong but i suspect they're gonna announce the saudi event during the uk champs and they expect that'll stop players whingeing for a bit. Don't know if any of them will object but I'd guess money would trump morals when it came to it.
That's certainly pretty much what Tubbs has said about it! And who can blame them?! So long as they don't do a Jordan Henderson and try to make out they're only doing it to try to help change the way they look at things
Can't see too many players having issues tbh. Murphy maybe, can see him going either way, totally and morally dead set against it or gung ho, doing a Jordan and determined to go over and make a positive intervention. Either would be typical Shon! But will be an easy curve ball for WS if any player does object, you're always whingeing about money and here we're offering more money than ever before and you're still whingeing, bottom line the moral issue gets a few headlines for a couple of days and then the action starts and everyone forgets.
So this now looks to be two "tournaments"? snooker.org has the first waves of matches listed. Tournament #1 comprises two groups of 3, BO5s, FFS! Luca, Baz, JB, Ali, Theppy, Selby. The second tournament starts at QFs featuring MJW, Si, Ronnie, Selby, Ding, Judd, Kyren, Jack and Marco. No mention of match durations for that one.
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