SEOUL - The PBA's press statement on Frédéric Caudron's sudden departure has not revealed the real truth. The Belgian has left the Korean professional organization, leaving a big void and nobody knows where he will make his next moves. Many rumors are circulating, but the Belgian player himself is silent in all languages on social media and in press releases. Mister Heejin Lee, ceo of PBA, was short in his statement. ''The truth will be unveiled,'' was his first, brief announcement. He continued by referring to a possible cause of the departure: ''Money matters.'' And noted that it is a ''natural consequence and pain for the growth of professional sport and professional players.''
Anyway, the eight-time PBA Tour winner has said he will not return. His team in the PBA league, Welcome Savings Bank, for which Caudron played successfully for three years, confirmed that in a statement. They feel sorry that the team captain is going to leave. ’’We did our best to still reach an amicable agreement. He is the symbol of our team and the PBA, but for various reasons no agreement could be reached. We will nog longer be able to work with Caudron. He thanked our club for our support over the past three years and said goodbye.''
Frédéric Caudron won in individual PBA events eight times, one of which was the final tournament considered the PBA world championship. The highlight was a Grand Slam: winning the Grand Prix, winning the world championship and champion with the Welcome Savings Bank team in 2021/22. Welbang Phoenix Club sponsor: ’’Frédéric Caudron became the captain of Welbang Phoenix after the launch of the PBA as the best player in the world. So, he became our captain and has been peforming at his best. We hope for a bright new future for Caudron.''
The Welbang Phoenix club has nominated Korean player Hyun-min Seo, winner in one PBA event, to replace Caudron. Other players in the Welcome Savings Bank team include Birol Uymaz, Im-gwon Kim, Sang-dae Lee, Ye-eun Kim and Natsumi Higashuiuchi. The team boss: ''Caudron showed us the joy of billiards, we laughed and cried together and look forward to seeing him again as the captain of our team.''
Mister Heejin Lee of the PBA organization assures: ''We are not blaming each other for this break-up at the moment. The PBA has to prepare the next event and Caudron has to find his next destination. Someday, who knows, the paths will cross again. I hope our sport continues to grow wisely and overcome the current problems.''
For speculations about Caudron's future as a billiard player, it is far too early. According to UMB regulations, if the Belgian no longer plays for the PBA, his suspension would expire on 31 October 2023. However, Caudron is no longer a member of the Belgian billiards federation and not of the CEB, the European confederation.
The Section three cushion of KNBB, the Dutch billiards federation, where Caudron last played for the Dallinga team from Sluiskil, is willing to grant dispensation. The Belgian is not a member of KNBB, but is a member of the Section three-cushion.
Caudron has yet to make any allusion as to whether his plans are in that direction. He always assured that the UMB has no right to give him a suspension, because he is not a member of any federation.