Hendry celebrates High Court victory

A legal battle between the sport's ruling body and two of the game's top players ended yesterday with a High Court judge ruling that the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association had abused its dominant position.

However, Justice Timothy Lloyd rejected all the other allegations against the association after a 40-day court case.

Mark Williams and Stephen Hendry accused the WPBSA of acting against their interests and restricting their ability to earn a living. Joined by snooker promoter, The Sportsmasters Network (now 110sport), the players went to court.

"All I wanted was the same opportunity as other sportsmen, namely to play where and when I like," Hendry said.

Each side was ordered to pay their own legal costs, estimated at £500,000 each.