Yesterday WST issued this rather low-key statement
WST Statement Update
WST can confirm that the Macau event previously scheduled for 27-29 October will now take place on the 22-24 December with players having received WST permission to enter.
As has been the case throughout, and contrary to reports, WST has dealt with all parties in a respectful and productive manner to reach an outcome which is satisfactory to all parties. As previously stated, due to contractual obligations, the original dates promoted would have been unacceptable and potentially lead to disciplinary action for those players choosing to compete in this event rather than the Northern Ireland Open. As such we are pleased a mutually agreeable solution has been reached to avoid further action.
WST will always work with players to satisfy their needs and we give permission on multiple occasions during the season for these types of events, but on this occasion, we could not do so and raised our concerns with the players and promoter in an appropriate manner which has now led to the postponement.
The players who have withdrawn from the Northern Ireland Open will remain unentered for this event.
All is well then…
Actually, this is probably the best outcome for both the sport and the group of players involved… maybe not so much for Mr Barry Hearn whose outburst now sounds, well, frankly over the top and even a bit ridiculous.
For the record this was his reaction as reported by Phil Haigh
…
‘Players can give their side, and it almost sounds like they are being bullied,’ Hearn told The Mirror. ‘Every player has the choice whether to play in an event or not, there is no bullying whatsoever. But these players are under contract.
‘You don’t have to enter or play the Northern Ireland Open. But you are not allowed to play in something else.
‘That is 100 per cent legally enforceable. So all of these players going to Macau are just selling their souls and themselves down the river for an extra few quid.
‘I am disappointed in how selfish they have been, and how small-minded. I expect these five will be referred for disciplinary action by WST. And then we’ll see whether they get fined, banned or thrown out.’
…
Expelling the reigning World Champion, amongst other top players, over a badly timed exhibition … that sounded rather heavy-handed and not particularly beneficial for the sport and it’s image IMO. But hey! This was Barry Hearn being Barry Hearn!
Ronnie O'Sullivan 
The question as to whether or not the players had entered the Norther Ireland Open remains unanswered – and relevant.
It was claimed they didn’t enter so could do what the pleased.
WST said they had entered and withdrew to play in Macau.
I believe that some had entered and some hadn’t. Don’t ask me who did and who didn’t, I’m not sure.
It’s good to see the players surrendered. Maybe Hearn’s stern words nudged them towards that decision, and they finally saw the light in that their personal earnings don’t trump a healthy snooker scene.
Now… snooker really has problems that need addressing – ranging from ever more odious sponsors to lower-ranked players still fighting off starvation (despite the minimum income) – and really didn’t need that distraction. Maybe a “mutiny” would be welcome, and eminently sensible, in case the WST really hops in bed with the House of Saud. That would be a worthy aim, in pursuit of which the self-professed “gentlemen” at the baize could demonstrate they actually deserve the honorable denomination, as opposed to merely following where their (and WST’s) greed takes them.
I’m not sure players surrendered. After all their exhibition WILL take place. It’s probably the promoter who made the effort to work towards a solution.
Those players and the promoter had a contract with a date in it. Yes, they probably sat down to change that contract by mutual agreement. Who was the main driving force – the promoter with nothing immediate to fear or the players under threat of legal action – we probably won’t learn. But yes, the promoter may have hoped for more business down the road, and thus a genuine interest of their own to solve it all, and solve it on good terms for all involved. Anyway, the principle that no WST-affiliated player shall play at an event that stands in conflict with a WST-sponsored tournament was reestablished and reinforced. So, the players lost that fight – I say, it was for the better of the future of snooker.
I’m not so sure that this outcome is for the best of the future of snooker. It might be IF WST now reflects on why this happened, and starts to work seriously on a better and more rational calendar, grouping events by regions, like other sports do to minimise costs and fatigue for the players,. For that to work, they also will need to have the qualifiers, if any, played close to the venues and right before the events. If THAT happens, yes, it will be for the best of snooker’s future. But I’m afraid that WST will just sit on this result and the shambolic schedule will stay what it is, with a very unfair strongly UK centric way to run the sport.
I don’t necessarily disagree with any of the issues you raised, Monique.
But, for now it is established that events cannot distract from, and diminish, WST-sponsored tournaments, which would almost inevitably have diminished earning opportunities for those who do NOT get these highly lucrative celebrity invitations, but have to rely on tournaments to earn a living.
That’s an outcome with which we can agree, unreservedly, no?
Now, in order to get sponsors and promoters in Asia, continental Europe and the UK to sit down and work out a more rational calendar, you need some planning authority to get them to the table and work together. A greatly diminished WST wouldn’t be able to do that. Now, it all depends, as far as I can see, on signaling to the WST that in case they cannot ensure reasonable developmental steps in the near future, they have outlived their usefulness as the institutional backbone of professional snooker. That falls largely on players (WPBSA?), and on those at the top, with the weightiest voices, in particular. WST should hear from them, loudly, and hopefully speaking with one voice, for once.
Soooooooooooo. There is one Macau Masters 22-24 December (Players will not be at home on Christmas?) and another one just 2 days later and a MrQ UK Championship building up to that. What do you all think of this season?
So I think those 5 or 6 suffered a loss.
(they now have to abandon German Masters also, only Top 8 seeded players can have their qualifiers held over, currently only Luca and Selby in it, Higgins needs constant QF or SF. Carter needs to win Wuhan Open+ others contenders not performing well… )
So I think those 5 or 6 suffered a loss.
(they now have to abandon German Masters also, only Top 8 seeded players can have their qualifiers held over, currently only Luca and Selby in it, Higgins needs constant QF or SF. Carter needs to win Wuhan Open+ others contenders not performing well… )
But personally feel even the whole tour gone, Matchroom can still call amateurs.
The damage really occurs when the sponsor says prerequisites for sponsorship if certain players participate the event.
And WST still need a retired man? This is very family business (His Majesty the Emperor Emeritus!) 0_0