Yes, we do disagree. Emily is an exceptional event producer and manager, a confirmed workaholic who has been very successful in bringing pro pool to every corner of the globe.
To be fair, an officiating issue is a relatively trivial matter to the CEO of Matchroom Pool. I think it is improbable that she is the one that has hired and certified the referees that preside at the Matchroom majors. I believe that pool referees and the certification process fall under the oversight of WPA and that failures to properly enforce the rules on the books are dealt with by WPA.
You will recall that after "Waxgate" at the World 9ball, it was WPA that sent out the press release that indicated that doctoring of the cue ball during play fell under unsportsmanlike conduct and that tournament officials had ignored a rule already on the books.
The solution here lies in better training of referees. This is not a management level issue.
In 2023, Brendan Moore retired from snooker refereeing to become Matchroom Pool’s Tournament Director. I haven’t seen much of him lately and wondered if he’s still with Matchroom or if Marcel Eckardt may have stepped into that role. Ben Fuentes-Taylor is a great addition to the Matchroom referee team. I think he does a fantastic job. And Marcel? I’ve been a fan since his snooker days. He’s professional and composed, though like anyone, capable of making mistakes.
I remember the 1988 Brunswick Open, when Keith McCready played Efren “Bata” Reyes, with Steve Mizerak in the booth. The referee called a foul on Efren for a bad hit, one that many, including Keith, thought was good. But the call stood, and Keith kept shooting and won. He later admitted it was probably a bad call. Just goes to show referees are human too, making split-second decisions under pressure. It happens in all sports.
Karma is a b*tch. Man overboard for Keith right after the bad foul call on Efren.
As for Emily Frazer, while I don’t agree with every branding change she’s made for the World Nineball Tour, I admire her drive. She’s pushing pool forward, giving it energy and visibility like never before. Still, being a woman in what’s long been a male-dominated sport means she faces criticism her male counterparts rarely get. Every move she makes gets picked apart, sometimes unfairly. I used to not care for her cheeky replies to American pool fourth estate, but I have since realized that it's British humor, which is a bit dry for me as an American.
And yes, she’s stunning, which unfortunately draws even more unnecessary attention. But she handles it with confidence, humor, and grit. She’s not just managing the show; she’s helping reshape it.
The WNT is alive, growing, and reaching new audiences. There’s plenty to celebrate, right?
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