SAARBRÜCKEN - The disciplinary committee of the German Billard Union (DBU) has overruled the much discussed decision of the central board to only allow foreign players to perform in the bundesliga as an exception. That has made an end to a lot of uncertainty among players, sponsors and clubs. The German billiards world and many players who helped make the bundesliga that strong, reacted with a sigh of relief after the announcement of the news. The German league now maintains its status as best league in the world.
The protest of the district Westphalia, led by Helmut Biermann as president, appealed to the disciplinary jurisdiction of the DBU two weeks ago to reverse the measure. The DBU board decision, with Michel John as chairman, was criticized by many players and clubs after the incomprehensible and unprofessional changing of the rules. It was seen as the deathblow for the bundesliga with its strong foreign players like Marco Zanetti, Torbjörn Blomdahl, Dick Jaspers, Frédéric Caudron, Dani Sánchez, Eddy Merckx, Nick Polychronopoulos, Jean van Erp, Eddy Leppens and many others.
The Disciplinary Committee has ruled that the decision of the DBU board was taken unlawfully, without the agreement of the underlying regions, including Helmut Biermann's Westfalen. In other words, the General Assemblee should have ratified this decision of the DBU board.
The board has already announced to consider the new situation, but it is not yet known when that will be. For now, the bundesliga remains at full strength, with all foreign top guns who played this year.
Michael John, DBU chairman, reacted in the first comment: ,, The disciplinary committee has taken a decision, we have to adhere to it. We will decide on further steps later.''
Whatever these developments may be, among players, clubs and for Helmut Biermann, president of Westphalia, there was lot of satisfaction now that the ,,fatal decision'' has been cancelled. ,,The decision of the Court confirms the extent of the problem and makes it clear how important it is to maintain the bundesliga with his full strength.'' Biermann calls on the regional clubs to better communicate among others and compete thinking about the future of billiard sports in Germany.
Torbjörn Blomdahl, the current world champion and nr. 1 on the world ranking, responded to the decision: ,,I am very pleased that the new rules are reversed. Many international players have reacted with amazement and expressed their concerns to me as the UMB representative of the players.'' The Swede emphazises that the contracts between players and clubs were already signed for the new season. ,,The mutual contacts between German and international players were decisive for this good result.'' Furthermore, Blomdahl expressed the hope that this kind of decision will not be taken in the future without hearing the clubs and players who are involved.
In addition, he thinks about a better dialogue with the Masters of Billiards Association (MBA), of which the Italian Marco Zanetti is the chairman. Zanetti also reacted to be very satisfied with the decision of the disciplinary committee. ,,The court has ratified that these kind of decisions can't be taken without hearing players and clubs. Hopefully, from now on the positive aspect will dominate German billiards again.''
The silence, finally has returned among the clubs, the German and foreign players. They can now focus in full concentration on the upcoming season.
Helmut Biermann, president of the Westfalen district