That's one way of looking at it. It's a very George way of looking at it though. Not everything is about riling the other organisations.

A more likely way of looking at it is that On-Q as an organisation want to run BB rules competitions. They invited the IPA players because they're some of the best in the country, and they want the best players in their tournament.

The EPA, by getting in to bed even further with George, seem not to be too bothered about having the best players.

I heard anyone that plays in the On Q "worlds" will receive a one year suspension of their EPA card. I will wait to see how accurate this information is.

Signing something does not make it legal. It cannot detract from any rights already established by law.

For example, the membership card could say George is allowed to eat your babies if you play on the IPAD tour. That doesn't make the clause enforceable.

I doubt the EPA have ever thought to get legal advice on the validity of their forms. Their data protection / third party options are completely wrong, so I'd imagine their attempts at the legal elements are also amateur.

Surely there can't be any doubt that those involved in the On Q world championships will be in line for a ban from the EPA? Do people think it is not in direct competition, it clearly is to me.

There maybe a legal challenge as to whether any ban is enforceable. Not sure how this would work or the legal complications but don't the EPA or whoever have freedom to set the rules they like, you then choose to join and abide by the rules or not.

We now appear to have 3 world championships, with 2 of them played to the same rules. Appreciate the effort some of the people are going to but it doesn't appear to be getting any simpler for the masses.

I just see this on the EPA site.......

"Following the recent EPA National meeting, it was unanimously decided by both the Executive and National Committees, that the current rules which are in place reference any player competing in a Professional World Championship will then be classed as a professional player by the EPA.

The relevant EPA rules on professional status will then apply.

Such players would be regarded by the EPA as at Cue Sport Professional level for a minimum of twelve months, before they could resign their status as a professional and apply to return to the amateur ranks.

There are already agreed procedures and regulations for existing Professional level players who wish to return to amateur status.

Any EPA ID card holder player that plays in an event that EPA deems to be in direct competition may face disciplinary action.

Geoff Wilson
EPA Chairman"

So any player that plays in the on-q event will then be subject to a 12 month cooling off period yet any player who jumped ship from the IPA to the HEPA tour did not need to serve a 12 month cooling off period!

Ahhh, and now we see.

The pertinent question for me here, is why on earth did on-q deem it necessary to call this anything that could implicate these ramifications upon the tournament entrants?

I said at the time there was no need for it.

Now we have a situation where On-Q have guaranteed a prizefund that people are scared of entering.