Dec 25: The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association plans to lodge an appeal after losing a High Court action that could threaten its future. On Friday, a judge ruled that WPBSA must pay World Snooker Enterprises £442,602 after ending its 10-year management contract after 10 months. A WPSBA statement on Monday said it was "shocked" by the ruling.

Even though the judge had denied permission to appeal, the WPSBA said it would be doing so on legal advice.

World snooker's governing body originally terminated WSE's contract because the commercial arm were "approximately £1.3m short of the guaranteed prize fund" they said would be made available.


The association added that the WSE "could not put out to members the total prize fund for the tour because they didn't have the money, neither could they announce a full schedule of tour events."


The WPSBA had already lost funds with the outlawing of tobacco sponsorship.


Among other cost-cutting decisions, it has cut the professional circuit from 128 players to 96 next season.
Bureau Report