NIEUWEGEIN - The first three-cushion Grand Prix of this year starts in the town of Capelle aan den IJssel this Monday in principle with ex-PBA pro Jean Paul de Bruijn on the list of 138 players (a record). The comeback of the Dutchman, who is still suspended until October 4 by the world federation UMB, has rather heated the emotions. The KNBB (Dutch federation) has given De Bruijn permission to play, the UMB (world federation) announced that the participation of the ex-PBA player will lead to far-reaching measures. That will surely lead to protests of the top players in the circuit.
The UMB wrote in a mail, that for the next Masters, the Dutch championship three cushion, no UMB ranking points will be awarded, because the KNBB allowed a suspended player to participate in one of the Grand Prix events. The Players Association reacted this week: ''We absolutely don't want other players to be duped.''
The parties are still directly opposed to each other. The UMB makes clear in an official letter that the measures will be irreversible. For next year's Masters, no precious ranking points will be given. The Section three cushion of KNBB disputes the point of view of the UMB by referring to the international rules. Hans de Bruin, member of the board on behalf of the Section, says: ''We will definitely appeal if the UMB does not award points after the Masters.''
What is actually the core of the case in which three parties (UMB, CEB, the European federation and KNBB) are involved?
Jean Paul de Bruijn is, despite his UMB suspension for playing PBA tournaments, the number four of the Dutch ranking. He returned from a two-year adventure in the PBA in Korea and wants to participate in the first Grand Prix in the Netherlands. In fact, he has already been assigned to the schedule and is supposed to play in the main draw as the leader in one of the eight groups of four.
Hans de Bruin: ''We wanted to avoid these case and asked the UMB to finish the suspension one month earlier, but they refused. Rules are rules, was the answer of the UMB.'' The still suspended billiard player from Zeeland wants to compete for ranking points of the UMB (for a possible World Championship) and CEB (for a possible European Championship). The national top of the Grand Prix circuit, however, wants to resist the measure that the UMB will not award ranking points to the Masters because a suspended player participated in one of the Grand Prix events.
The impasse has lasted a week now. Dick Jaspers, Jean van Erp, Barry van Beers and other players with World Cup ambitions certainly are not happy with the measures announced by the UMB. In other words: if Dick Jaspers would win the Masters, he does not receive the 30 UMB ranking points for his title.
The Players association of Grand Prix players, consisting of Dick Jaspers, Jean van Erp and Huub Wilkowski, has taken a position. It is clear that the measures announced by the UMB (no ranking points for the Masters) have caused commotion. It will almost certainly lead to a protest from the group of players in case the World federation sticks to its threat. ''The KNBB is there for all the players, not only for Jean Paul de Bruijn'', reflects Dick Jaspers the point of view of the players. ''We absolutely don't want other players to be victims.''
The official point of view of the UMB, expressed in a letter to the KNBB: 'Suspended players are not allowed to participate in tournaments that are linked to UMB ranking points, such as the Masters or the Grand Prix tournaments. If a suspended player participates in a Grand Prix, the whole cycle of GPs and Masters is considered by the UMB as a local event without UMB ranking points'.
The Section Three Cushion of the KNBB has informed the Players Board: 'We, as the board, do not agree with the statements of the UMB and appeal to statutes of the CEB (European Federation) and UMB (World Federation).'
Hans de Bruin writes to the Players association: ''The regulations clearly state that federations (including the KNBB) have complete freedom with respect to their broadcasting policy and related events (Grand Prix tournaments, Masters etc). Also clearly stated is that it is not obligatory and even prohibited to take over imposed sanctions when it comes to national events'.
That means, according to Hans de Bruin: ''Since Jean Paul de Bruijn has not been suspended by the KNBB, he cannot be denied participation in the coming Grand Prix. Moreover, the rules of the UMB and CEB contradict each other about participation in a European Championship and a World Championship.'
The Dutch board has discussed the situation with Jean Paul de Bruijn. He indicated that it is not his intention to disappoint other players, but he would like to qualify for the Masters and possibly the European Championship.
The board explicitly tells the Dutch players: ''The rules of the UMB and the CEB contradict each other.'' Hans de Bruin: ''Jean Paul de Bruijn filed an appeal against the CEB in 2019. The ruling was that the CEB may not automatically take over a suspension from the UMB.''
For now, it's waiting for possible further negotiations between UMB (CEB) and KNBB Section Three Cushion and for the final reaction of the players if the UMB sticks to the measures and does not award ranking points.