WPBSA issue ultimatum to undecided players

Snooker bosses have given their members until the end of the month to pledge their futures to the sport's governing body.

If they fail to do so they face exclusion from the official tour next season.

More than 100 professionals attended a players' meeting at the Celtic Manor Hotel in Newport.

Among them were probable defectors Mark Williams and Ronnie O'Sullivan.

They heard World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association managing director Jim McKenzie deliver his hardline ultimatum.

"We think 10 days is ample time for the players to make up their minds" said McKenzie.

"We need to draw a conclusion to this debate. I know it's an important decision for them to make because many of them have earned fortunes from the association.

"But the debate has gone on long enough and caused unnecessary damage to our game."

Bruce Beckett, head of media relations for WPBSA, stressed: "Players who haven't signed by this date will not get another opportunity to do so.

"If they don't sign they won't be playing on our tour next season. It's as black and white as that."

The game's governing body has become engaged in a bitter battle to control snooker with Scottish-based Internet company The Sportsmasters Network.

Last Friday, TSN announced their breakaway 10-tournament circuit for the 2001-2 campaign including a world championship in Birmingham in direct opposition to the WPBSA's Embassy world event at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre.

The key to the success of both tours is the availability of television contracts - and in addition to the players and officials gathered in Newport the meeting was attended by John Rawlinson, deputy head of BBC Sport.

He confirmed the recent announcement that the BBC will honour its six-year contract with the WPBSA.

"We are categorically committed to World Snooker, including the next six world championships, and we intend to honour that relationship," said Rawlinson.

"We have no plans to broadcast TSN's events or to enter into exclusive or indeed non-exclusive arrangements with them.

"This partnership is critical for the future of the sport because only the BBC can deliver the terrestrial audience that are the sport's life blood."

He told members: "I have worked in many different sports for the last 25 years, and snooker is the only one where the players control the sport. It is your sport - don't let anyone else take it."

World number two John Higgins was among the players involved in the two-hour debate.

The former world champion last month agreed a three-year contract to promote World Snooker and today he said: "I thought the presentation was fantastic and very professional.

"The association have had nothing like it for years. That's why I think the game has got a very bright future if everyone sticks together.

"Mark (Williams) and Ronnie (O'Sullivan) should make up their own minds but they cannot have failed to be impressed by what was said."