Article 1.

Article 2.

Article 3. Disciplinary proceedings

1. The WEPF distinguishes between the following sanctions :
   • warning of representatives, members and players
   • suspension of officials
   • suspension of members and/or their teams or players for a certain time and/or certain tournaments
   • fines and
   • expulsion of members from the WEPF.

   Authorities of the WEPF are entitled to combine several sanctions.

Article 4. Applicability of sanctions

1. People and authorities liable to observe statutes and regulations of the WEPF may be sanctioned in case of their deliberate or negligent violation, or in the case of inappropriate behaviour.

Article 5. Objections

1. Sanctions which have not been imposed by the General Meeting can be objected to.
2. The next Ordinary General Meeting has the final decision on objections.

Article 6.

“All WEPF members must not be organising 8 ball events which are not using the official 8 ball playing rules of the WEPF. Any player who plays or organises for a team or who plays or organises as an individual in an alternative rules event without the sanction of the European Eight-ball Pool Federation or the World Eight-ball Pool Federation, shall be liable to suspension. That any event organised by a member of the WEPF should be played only to the official playing rules of the WEPF.”

1. Any event organised by any member of the WEPF or its affiliates, should be played only to the official playing rules of the WEPF.
2. No WEPF member: affiliated body, individual member, player or official, may participate in or organise “alterative Eightball pool events” individually or as part of a team which does not use the official playing rules of the WEPF.
3. Any such person doing so without the sanction of the European Eight-ball Pool Federation or the World Eight-ball Pool Federation shall be liable to suspension from the WEPF and all its affiliates. This will be applied to all playing categories.
4. An “alterative Eightball pool event” is defined as : An event organised by, sanctioned, approved or recognised by an alternative or rival governing body other than the WEPF or its affiliated national bodies or any individual member of such a body, or agent or third party acting on behalf or such bodies, paid or unpaid. As a general rule this definition would not be applied to local events such as those run by independent leagues, pubs and clubs. The WEPF reserves at all times the right to apply the “alterative Eightball pool event” definition to any event as it sees fit to do so.
5. At any time any event organiser can apply to the WEPF or its affiliated member’s countries for official recognition of such an event in writing 28 days prior to the commencement of the event.
6. New or developing countries may apply to the WEPF or EEPF for dispensation from Article 6 to assist with the transition to WEPF rules. This requires to be renewed annually by the WEPF AGM.

Article 7. Dress Code

1. Match Dress (All matches in the Team events and Singles events) :

   Long sleeve shirt with bow tie, a waistcoat, proper pants (trousers), matching socks and proper shoes (canvas or running type shoes are not allowed).

2. Opening Function :

   Match dress, with national colours, blazer where possible. Uniformity is compulsory for all countries. A normal tie may replace bow if so desired but then the whole team must be dressed alike./p>

3. Closing Function :

   National colours with blazer where possible, with or without waistcoat, bow tie or ordinary tie must be worn. Ladies have the option of dressing in evening wear should they wish to.

4. Attendance as Spectators :

   Play off’s : Any dress (except objectionable or offensive logo's)
   TV Stages : Smart casual or National colours.
   Finals : Smart casual or National colours.

5. At the table :

   All players are not allowed to compete in short-sleeve shirts, as this gives them an advantage over their opponents when it comes to fouls with shirt cuffs and sleeves.

6. Dress in and around the Playing Arena :

   No Player or Official, is allowed to wear his or her National Colours i.e. Blazer, without a Tie or Bow Tie in the arena, or while being social, those concerned should go and change into something casual if the wish to dress down. They should have proper casual wear identifying them with their country if they so desire.

Article 8. Expenses

1. The following Executive officers defined as, President, Secretary, & Treasurer, will for attending the World Championships, have their agreed and reasonable travel costs paid for by the WEPF and have their agreed and reasonable accommodation costs, covered for the duration of the event. Including one day before and one day after event, paid from the WEPF budget.
2. The remaining expenses and those of other officers are to be paid for by their own country when meetings are held at the time of the World Championships. On occasions when other meetings take place outside the World Championships, the WEPF cover the costs, if funds are available, if funds are not available then the expenses are paid by the persons own country.
3. The President will receive an annual entertainment allowance set by the AGM.

Article 9. Budget

The WEPF Treasurer will set a budget for presentation to the Executive for approval (period being from one AGM to the next AGM), based on previous transactions and projected income/expenditure.

Article 10. Audits

All World Championships require an audited set of accounts prepared and presented which must show both income and expenditure.

Article 11. Annual Membership and Fees

1. These fees are to be decided at the AGM based on these levels :
   1. Full membership, with a voice and full voting rights
   2. Affiliate membership, with a voice but with lesser voting rights
   3. Associate membership, with a voice but no right to vote
   4. Provisional membership, with no voice at meetings and no vote
   5. Non Participating Provisional membership, with no voice and no vote
2. If payment is not made within one month, then an additional late payment fee is payable at the rate of 10% per month. If payment is not received within three months of the due date, the member country will be expelled.
3. The WEPF Treasurer shall follow-up arrears and the procedure will be :
   • Send out initial invoices before the due date
   • Re-invoice if payment is not received within one month
   • Re-invoice again if payment is not made within two months
   • Re-invoice again after three months with a warning of lapsed membership
4. At least two months before each AGM, the WEPF must receive a formal application by a country applying for new provisional membership or the retention of existing provisional membership’
5. In order to keep the WEPF records up to date, members must provide the WEPF Secretary with a newly completed membership update form by the 31st March each year. Failure to provide this update within the prescribed time limit will result in a fine of £50.00 being imposed.
6. 1. The WEPF Secretary shall, within one calendar month of receiving the information as collected by the Members Update Form as described in 10.5 above, list all Primary Official Contact details per each Member Country and circulate the said list to each listed Member Country Primary Official for use as a definitive contact list by all listed Member Countries.
   2. In addition to the submission of the Members Update Form of 10.5 by the given date, it shall be the further responsibility of each Member Country to inform the WEPF Secretary of any amendments to the details of their Primary Official within seven days of such change taking place.
   3. It shall be the duty of the WEPF Secretary to update all Member Country Primary Officials of any amendments as described in 10.6.b. within seven days of receiving said amendment.
   4. The list, to be known as the Primary Officials Detailed Contact List, shall also include the details of each of the WEPF Executive Officers.
   5. The information contained in paragraphs ‘a to d’ above must be copied to the Assistant Secretary.

Article 12. Entry Fees

1. Men's singles entry fee : To be agreed at each AGM
2. Ladies singles entry fee : To be agreed at each AGM
3. Junior singles entry fee : To be agreed at each AGM
4. Under 23’s entry fee : To be agreed at each AGM
5. Over 50’s entry fee : To be agreed at each AGM
6. Wheelchair comp entry fee : To be agreed at each AGM
7. Team entry fees : To be agreed at each AGM

Article 13. Refer to ANNEXE B

1. National Teams may wear their own sponsors logo, the maximum size as specified by the WEPF, provided that they do not have any conflict with the WEPF event sponsors.
2. All proposed sponsors advertising / logos must be approved by the tournament director prior to the WEPF event. The WEPF reserve the right to reject the logo(s).
3. The WEPF reserve the right to require players to wear the badge/logo of any agreed sponsors or co-sponsor of an event.

Article 14. Accepted as World Eight-ball Pool Championship specifications, by the member countries of the WEPF

1. Object balls shall be, 2 inches (50.8 mm) diameter and weight of 116 grams, + 2 grams.
   Aramith Pro-Cup balls will be used for all WEPF International events.
2. Cue ball shall be, 17/8 inches (47.6 mm) diameter and a weight of 94 grams, + 2 grams.
   And the ‘spotted’ cue ball will be used at WEPF International events.
3. Maximum playing surface to be, 7 feet x 3 feet 6 inches (213.36cm x 106.68cm)
   (playing surface being the flat slate area between the cushion faces)
   (the cushion faces being the part of the cushion that the ball(s) contact).
4. Minimum playing surface must be, 6 feet x 3 feet (182.88cm x 91.44cm)
   (playing surface being the flat slate area between the cushion faces)
   (the cushion faces being those parts of the cushion that the ball(s) contact).
5. Cushion faces to have a narrow flat face.
6. Table height to be between, 31½ inches & 33½ inches (80cm & 85cm).
7. The playing surface and cushion cloth must be a ‘nap’ cloth, 30 oz. The nap to run from baulk to pyramid.
8. Pocket size and cut to be as per WEPF agreed templates.
   Depth of pockets to be, 85mm (3.35 inches /approx. 311/32“) corners and 95mm (3.74 inches / approx. 33/4“) centres, minimum measurement.
9. Lighting to be three shades, (or LED equivalent) one over the centre of the table and one shade 20 inches (50.8cm) either side of centre. The height to be 32½ inches (82.55 cm) from the playing surface of the level table to the bottom of the shade.
10. The baulk line to be positioned 1/5th (20%) of the length between the face of the end cushions.
11. The pyramid spot to be in the centre of the top half of the table.

Article 15.

1. WEPF Members :
   1. Members must make every effort to support the WEPF by sending players to participate in WEPF events.
   2. Where practicable, Members must make every effort to run qualification events for the WEPF World Championship singles events.
2. Non Members :

   A country may attend their first World Championship as non members but must then affiliate to the WEPF at that year's AGM, or during that year, or on receiving an invitation to the next World Championship, in order to be able to compete in future events.

Article 16. Individual players

Article 17. Invited players

Article 18. Player Eligibility

1. Only players recognised and endorsed by their National Association / Federation, are eligible to represent their Country in the W.E.P.F. World, European and Home Internationals or other full International matches.
   (Full international match being defined as;- Any match between two member countries, excluding any friendly match with any other team or teams, in either Singles or Team events. Members need to advise the WEPF of any match they consider being a friendly).
2. To qualify to become a recognised player for a member country, a player must meet one of the following criteria :
   1. Must have been born in the country he / she wishes to play for, OR
   2. Must have a parent born in the country he / she wishes to play for, OR
   3. Must have a Grandparent born in the country he/she wishes to play for, OR
   4. Must hold Citizenship for the country he / she wishes to play for
3. No player will be allowed to play for another Country, once he / she has played for any country, unless the player emigrates and takes up the nationality of that Country. HOWEVER: An individual from the United Kingdom should be able to play for his/her country of residence after 10 years".
4. Players currently playing for a Country prior to the acceptance of this amended article. (June 2000), but not meeting the new criteria are permitted to continue playing for that Country, as a registered international.
5. Once a player has played for one country in the World Championships, then they cannot play for any other country the following year or subsequent years, except when the player takes up citizenship of that other country.
   An amnesty applied until January 1st 2001 for players meeting the new criteria and who no longer wished to continue with their present country.

Article 19. Team Events

1. Men’s Event

   Each member country should enter a 10 player squad, with 7 named players in a team plus 3 (optional) named reserves, making a total of 10 squad players in each match.

   The names of the squad members must be with the Tournament Director one month before the event.

   In the TV stages the same format and table size will be used as used in the qualifying stages.

   Substitutes are allowed during the team matches, including those in the televised stages. Once a player has been removed from the match, they can return.

2. Ladies Event

   Each member country should enter a 7 player squad, with 5 named players in a team plus 2 (optional) named reserves, making a total of 7 squad players in each match.

   Substitutes are allowed during the team matches, but once a player has been removed from the match, she can return.

3. Juniors Event

   Each member country should enter a 7 player squad, with 5 named players in a team plus 2 (optional) named reserves, making a total of 7 squad players in each match.

   Substitutes are allowed during the team matches, but once a player has been removed from the match, they can return.

4. Under 23 Event

   Each member country should enter a 5 player squad, with 3 named players in a team plus 2 (optional) named reserves, making a total of 5 squad players in each match.

   Substitutes are allowed during the team matches, but once a player has been removed from the match, they can return.

5. Seniors Event

   Each member country should enter a 5 player squad, with 3 named players in a team plus 2 (optional) named reserves, making a total of 5 squad players in each match.

   Substitutes are allowed during the team matches, but once a player has been removed from the match, they can return.

6. Substitutes
   1. All 10 players in the men’s team event to be available for selection in all matches at the World Championships with 3 substitutes available to play for every match.
   2. All 7 players in the ladies team event to be available for selection in all matches at the World Championships with 2 substitutes available to play for every match.
   3. All 7 players in the junior team event to be available for selection in all matches at the World Championships with 2 substitutes available to play for every match.
   4. All 5 players in the Under 23 team event to be available for selection in all matches at the World Championships with 2 substitutes available to play for every match.
   5. All 7 players in the Seniors team event to be available for selection in all matches at the World Championships with 2 substitutes available to play for every match.

Article 20. Singles Nominations

1. Each member country may nominate an agreed number of players from their team to be seeded into the first round proper, depending on the number of entries. The remainder of the players are entitled to enter the preliminary round.
2. Previous World Champions no longer playing for their country will be allowed into the last 64 stage of the World Championships for three years and enter the preliminary section for a further two years, this will be for five consecutive years from when they last won the championships.

Article 21. Ladies Singles Event

1. All ladies team members may enter into the ladies individual event, the format to be based on the men's individual event. Top four players only will be seeded.
2. In the women’s draw each country gets two seeded players and they are put into different halves of the draw and the draw decides equal numbered ones in each half of the draw. These country seeded places will not be lost or affected by the main seedings,

Article 22. Junior Events General

1. Junior players must be under 18 on the 31st December in the year preceding the World Championships.
2. Junior players are not permitted to participate in both the junior and senior events. This applies to the individual and team events.
3. No junior under the age of sixteen will be allowed to play at senior level.
4. A junior player may choose to play at junior or senior level in international competitions, however having once played at senior level, the player will be deemed to have relinquished his or her junior status at international level, for all future events and cannot subsequently drop down to junior level
5. Players in Junior squads must not consume alcohol during or at events and functions.

Junior Singles Event

1. All junior team members may enter the Junior Individual Championship event.
2. There will be no prize fund for the Junior events.
3. Junior singles event is to be split in to age categories of U14 and U18 providing numbers are sufficient, players can only enter one category.

Article 23. Under 23 Singles Event

1. All U23 team members may enter the Under 23 Individual Championship event.
2. All U23 team members may also enter the Men’s Individual Championships event.

Article 24. Seniors Singles Event

1. All Seniors team members may enter the Seniors Individual Championship event.
2. All Seniors team members may also enter the Men’s Individual Championships event. Top four players only will be seeded.

Article 25. Men’s Competition Draw

1. The competition draw should be scrutinised and players’ names must be submitted by the closing date.
2. Qualifiers should be drawn out in such a way that players do not play a fellow countryman in the first round.

Article 26. Winners in Round Robin Events

1. If two teams are tied up in points, results of match between the two teams involved will decide.
2. If more than two team are tied up in points :
   1. Number of matches won
   2. Number of frames won
   3. Percentage aggregate between frames won and frames lost

Article 27. Seeded Players

1. The policy of having seeded players for W/Champ's is by the format submitted by the Tournament Director (in 1996, taking the results from the previous three years. Seedings to be used from 1997 onwards with the champion seeded 1, plus 7 other players ranked next on the ranking lists that are entered into that W/Champ's. These 8 seeds will enter the event at the last 64 stage, as passed at the 2011 AGM.
2. The 3 players (excluding the champion) reaching the semi-finals in any one year will be guaranteed an invitation into the last 64 for the following year, unless they go into the last 64 as a seeded player.
3. The top 8 seeded players remain eligible and are offered places regardless of their team position as they have earned their place. Allocation of places in the last 64 from countries and any places given would be counted as the team’s allocation of places.
4. Players ranked in the top eight seeded places who got there by their own means, that is via the qualifiers, will keep their seeded places whether they are supported by a country or not. The qualifiers would then remain ‘Open'
5. Players ranked in the top eight seeded places who got there by qualification because they were a member of a national squad and therefore gained direct entry into the event without going through qualifiers, must have the permission of their country in order to retain their top eight seeded place.
6. If a country agreed to let a player (team or ex-team) retain their seeded place they would not lose one of their own seeded places (gained according to team position over last three years).
7. Entrants in to the Ladies or Seniors singles will be awarded rankings points on the same format as is applied to the men. Top four Ladies and Seniors will be seeded in to the draw based on their rankings points achieved in the previous three years.
8. All seeded players must pay an annual affiliation fee to either the WEPF or their National association/federation to retain their seeded place. Their seeded place should not affect their national association/federations seeded places as they are currently awarded.
9. If they do not pay an affiliation fee then they can only enter the event through the qualifying competitions organised by the WEPF or the WEPF member countries, there is an appeal available to the WEPF.

Article 28. Team Photos

Article 29. Press/Media

Article 30. 'World Teams'

Article 31. Drugs Policy

1. The WEPF have a policy banning drugs of enhancement, as endorsed by the members and as published.
2. The WEPF reserve the right to carry out testing in line with that policy.
3. The WEPF reserve the right to discipline any player found to be in breach of the drugs policy.

Article 32. Player Performance List

Article 33. Additional Clauses

1. To ensure the World Championships continue, countries must book accommodation through the organisers and they will put a mark up of £4 per person, per night on. OR; If booking their own accommodation, countries pay £4 per person, per night, back to the organisers as a surcharge.
2. Everyone in team squads must stay from the opening ceremony to the closing ceremony. There being a proviso that if it is agreed that people may leave early, then the £4 per person, per night surcharge is still payable.
3. World Masters: All parties must agree for things to happen with the World Masters. Each has the right of veto with ‘consensus’ management to be followed. A player banned by the WEPF is not eligible to play in the World Masters.