Redraws, contracts and resignation rumours: BDO World Masters qualifiers descends into chaos

The qualifying stages of the 2019 World Masters descended into chaos in Grays on Wednesday amid complications with the draw.

The qualifying rounds for the Men’s tournament are taking place ahead of Friday’s main event, with more than 200 players competing for 32 places at the Circus Tavern in Purfleet.

As reported on Tuesday, a number of the BDO’s big names had opted out of entering the qualifiers in protest at the change of qualifying criteria following the announcement that all players must start out from the floor stages regardless of their world ranking.

The draw was initially released on Tuesday, and BDO Chairman Des Jacklin announced on stage ahead of the start of play this morning that were would be no re-draw.

However, in a dramatic u-turn just an hour later, Jacklin returned to the microphone to announce there was to be a re-draw due to several international players having travelled without correctly entering the tournament.

Further to this, pre-registered players including Wayne Warren and Nick Kenny were not present at the venue and were withdrawn from the field.

It has also emerged that players have been forced to sign a contract stating they will not compete in December’s PDC World Championship should they qualify for either the World Masters or BDO World Championship.

Failure to comply would make them ‘ineligible to receive prize money from the World Masters’ and could result in court action.

The prize fund for the World Masters is also yet to be confirmed despite just 48 hours remaining before the main event.

Rumours also circulated on social media regarding Des Jacklin, who is said to have revealed his intention to resign as Chairman following January’s World Championship.

Despite being announced back in August, the deal to take the BDO World Championship to the Indigo at The O2 Arena is said to have only been finalised in recent weeks, with tickets due to go on sale on Friday.

The updated draw for the Men’s World Masters Qualifiers can be viewed here

The World Masters has had to be re-drawn live at the venue ??

It’s fair to say those in the room aren’t too happy… pic.twitter.com/uBzKn1CknX

— Live Darts (@livedarts) October 23, 2019

Due to several internationally-based players having travelled without correctly entering this year’s World Masters, there has been a redraw.

Link for the updated Men’s @one80 @LstyleEurope World Masters draw can be found here ?????? https://t.co/DIXbtoi3Xm

— BDO Darts (@BDOdarts) October 23, 2019