EPBF Statement:

At 31.01.2025 we were informed by the WPA President that Matchroom sport did contact the WPA, late December 2024, with the wish to discuss the situation and find a solution for the problems.
Besides of the EPBF also other WPA members did give their opinion which has led to some modifications in de demands that were mentioned to Matchroom Sport. The idea behind all this was to find a solution for the current situation.

Yesterday evening, which I saw only today, we are informed that the WPA and Matchroom did find at least an (intensional) agreement to the situation. The EPBF, as well as some other WPA members, did ask the WPA board to present the final agreement before signing to the WPA members in order to have the complete knowledge of what is agreed and what is mentioned in the new agreement in addition to the contract. The WPA board did agree on this. It will be interesting to see whether this new agreement does replace the old contract or is just an addition to it.

This whole situation has led now to the fact that the WPA board did ratify (this is now a new term that the WPA board want to use besides the term Sanctioning) the Matchroom (WNT) event "European Open 2025" which will be held in Sarajevo / Bosnia I Hercegovina. This does mean then also that all WPA licensed athletes can participate at this event if they wish to do that. 
We did ask the WPA Board to inform us what this "agreement" with Matchroom sports does mean for those athletes that are in the position not being eligible to participate at World (WPA), continental (in our case EPBF) and / or events on national level. We have the impression that this list will be void but we can't read this that clear out of the message we did receive from the WPA. Therefore we di ask. As, however, we think that this will be the case we ask you to keep some patience and not take any steps in such a direction related to this list. As soon as we receive a response from the WPA, we will report back to you.

As soon as we do receive the complete agreement we, as the EPBF board, will have a look at the document and inform you about issues that are important for you as the EPBF member. I hope that you will understand that it will not be possible to present openly the agreement, because this will not be allowed but of course we will inform you abou the points that are important for you.
I can also inform already that the new agreement will also include an arrangement with regards to available spots for the WC 9-Ball in the future. Maybe for 2025 it will be to short but certainly for the year(s) after there will be something mentioned. 

We will keep you posted.

It would be of immens importance that you inform your athletes about this and it could also mean that you maybe want to change your namely 

Regards,

Gre Leenders
EPBF President

UPDATE:

Dear members,

As a follow-up to my earlier email today, I asked the WPA about the situation with the non-eligible players in relation to the new arrangements made with Matchroom sport. The WPA General Secretary did react quite quickly, thanks for that, so I am able to answer this question to you know.

Athletes non-eiligible:
The status of the Athletes won’t change until the CFs pass a motion agreeing to modify the effect on the 7 October 2023 resolution on a defined list of Athletes. Attached is the list of the Athletes from Matchroom who participated in the two relevant events. The (named athletes) in the attached list are still in the position that they did decide to play the non-Sanctioned circuit. They are still not allowed to participate at World (WPA), Continental (in our case EPBF) and / or events at national level for the time being.
The status of these Athletes won’t change until the CFs pass a motion agreeing to modify the effect on the 7 October 2023 resolution on a defined list of Athletes.

So at the moment they can’t compete but in the near future they will be able to.  How soon will depend upon the convenience of the CFs -  either at an EGM next week or at the AGM the week after.

Hope this information does help.

Wish you all a nice weekend.

Regards,

Gre Leenders
EPBF President