Former chairman Rex Williams has been expelled as a member of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association and asked to repay legal costs of £28,268.

Williams and other directors of the company – both past and present – have been found in breach of their fiduciary duty following a forensic investigation conducted by Denton Wilde Sapte and KPMG.

The report investigated the reasons for and principles behind the initiation or defence and funding of legal actions by the Association during Williams’ time as chairman between March 11, 1997 and September 27, 1999.

A Forensic Investigation Committee made up of current directors Jim Chambers (chairman), Mark Wildman and Tony Murphy has now passed a number of resolutions after taking advice from senior Leading Counsel.

Williams has been given 30 days to repay legal costs of £28,268 incurred by the WPBSA in funding three actions commenced in his name against Snooker Scene and its editor Clive Everton – ‘Is This Your Car Sir?’, ‘Jobs For The Boys’ and ‘Vote Rigging’. If he fails to do so, the Committee will decide what further legal action to take.

The Committee have also resolved to oppose any proposal that Williams serves as a director of the Association for the next three years. He has been expelled from the WPBSA and his honorary membership withdrawn.

A decision on what legal action will be taken against former vice-chairman Ray Reardon has been deferred to the end of January. But he too has been expelled from the Association and had his honorary membership withdrawn.

Jim McMahon, a member of the current WPBSA board, has been given 24 hours to tender his resignation and 30 days to repay legal costs of £6,309 for funding an action in his name against players’ manager Ian Doyle in 1999.

Jason Ferguson, now chairman of the WPBSA, and former directors Steve Davis and Dennis Taylor have been told that technically they may have had a case to answer. However, on Leading Counsel’s advice no action will be taken against them as the Committee believes they acted honestly, reasonably and fairly in the circumstances.

For more details contact:

World Snooker Media Office on 0117-317-8200
www.worldsnooker.com