Maybe it is a clear rules violation but I'd need to see a rulebook before I stipulate to that. A referee should remove the template but with no referee Eddie was acting as a referee.The incoming player does have the choice to replace the ball or leave it. But it has to be to the original position.
That can be challenged by the player who moved it as to if that is in fact the original position.. the incoming player doesn't have the last word.
Once he says move the ball back they have to aggree it is in the right place. If they have a ref then he will replace the ball and that's that.
I need to see a rulebook that addresses the issue of a player removing the template.