Jamie Cope has been seeded through to the final stages of the Shanghai Masters in place of the suspended John Higgins.
Cope is ranked 17th in the world. Mike Dunn, as world no.33, will be seeded through to the final qualifying round.
David Douglas has submitted a report on behalf of the WPBSA to Sports Resolutions UK, who will form a verdict based on their evidence and that of Higgins.
That verdict is expected within the next month but by then the closing date for entries to the World Open will also have passed so Higgins will be unable to play in that, even if he is cleared.
Liu Song has been given a discretionary place on the main tour to make up the 96th player in the season's first two ranking events.
the suspension appears to be a simple restraint of trade and guilty until proven innocent.
ReplyDeleteAny news on when we can expect a draw?
ReplyDeletePersonally I think the entrapment scenario used to de-frock Higgins was totally vulgar.
ReplyDeleteI dearly hope that if Higgins is cleared in time for the main events he will be offered a wildcard!
ReplyDeleteEven if Higgins is cleared he'll have suffered severely regarding rankings and must now be concerned about the possibility of dropping out of the elite, which any kind of ban will probably do.
ReplyDeleteGood news for Cope and Zhang, who I feel will play a significant role in the games' future.
Nice touch for Dunn as well, and I'd say he's relieved hes no longer on the board, as his promotion to the seeded 32 may have been viewed unfavourably by the sceptical.
I cant help feeling sorry for Higgins all the same.
Whether he's guilty or not, it must be a terrible time for him and indeed his family.
But thats the way. Had ws not moved as they did, they'd have sent out the wrong message to anyone contemplating a stroke, and further encouraged the tabloids to search within snooker for more lives to ruin.
Dave, any idea when will the draw comes out?
ReplyDeletedoes that mine the draw for Shanghai will be done and published in the next day or so?
ReplyDeleteDave
ReplyDeleteWhen was the last possible date for seeding these players through?
I guess this means the draw will be published soon
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing the draw will be made soon?
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen the draw. However, the qualifiers start on August 2 so it should be out imminently.
ReplyDeletedave, i heard the ruling was going to be out a maximum of 4 weeks from a date that was in the first few days of this month, meaning that it should be out before month end.
ReplyDeletedo you know differently (as i am not counting on my source being 100% correct)?
ta
Once lawyers get involved proceedings inevitably get dragged out
ReplyDeleteThe lawyers were involved well before it was passed on from the ex-cop
ReplyDelete