Carom
LEOPOLDSBURG - Eddy Leppens is furious and will send a 2000 euro claim to his federation. The Belgian billiards player, who was entitled to participate in the European championship balk-line 47/2 due to his second place in the Belgian championship, has not been signed in by his federation. ,,They have send the inscription of Patrick Niessen, the champion, two times and have forgotten to send my subscription.''
The European championships in all disciplines will be played in Brandenburg this year from 12 to 21 April. The championship balk-line 47/2 is on 18 and 19 April. Leppens was very motivated to participate: ,,I think there is a chance that I can be European champion. This is a big mistake of the federation. I will send them a claim, at least for two thousand euros, the amount for the winner in Brandenburg.''
The closing date to register players at the EC was on January 15, one day after the Belgian championships in Blankenberge. Leppens: ,,The worse thing is that I called Michel Cielen, the sportsdirector, on 15 January, because I like to control things. But of course, I can not sign up myself for the championship.''
The Belgian sportsdirector answered: ,,I have not done it yet, but I will sign you up today.'' Eddy Leppens: ,,I checked it later, but then I heard I was nog registered at all. He had signed up Patrick Niessen for Belgium two times.''
The European federation will not change the schedule because of the miss. Leppens: ,,The CEB had a meeting on Saturday. Jean Louis Steuts, who represented Belgium in the board for the youth, has been there. I asked him: did you plead for me to participate? He said: no, because I'm not involved with that.''
The Belgian player is furious: ,,I am a professional player, not an amateur, so I have to make a living with billiards. This is a big, big mistake. They can expect my claim in the upcoming days, they can be sure of it. I am really furious, it's a shame.''
Eddy Leppens is playing in Brandenburg the European championship individual three cushion thanks to his position at the ranking. And also he may participate in three cushion for teams, together with Roland Forthomme, the Belgian champion.
Michel Cielen could not be reached for a comment.