Statement on tournament fees problem at the European Individual Championship 2008
Dear friends,
We would like to draw your attention to the problems which occurred with tournament fees during the recent European Individual Championships in Plovdiv.
According to the Tournament Regulations, published on the official website of the Championship www.eicc2008.com, all participants had to pay an organization fee of 50 €. In Plovdiv, however, the ECU demanded one more fee of 65 € (the ECU fee) to be paid by the players. This one was not mentioned in the Tournament Regulations.
Historically, in all European Individual Championships from 2000 till 2006, there had always been just one fee – the ECU fee of 65 €. Last year in Dresden, for the first time, there were two fees, both of which appeared in the Tournament Regulations. It is important to note that the organization fee of 50 € in Dresden included transfers from and to the airport, as well as free public transportation in Dresden for all the participants during the event. The fees included no services at all this year in Plovdiv.
The ACP has got two major points of concern.
1. Introduction of the organization fee of 50 €
For the majority of chess professionals, participating in the European Championship is their only chance to get a place in the FIDE World Cup. This is the reason why they are ready to play in the event and to pay all their expenses themselves. The financial result for 97% of the field is negative: this year, just 10 players out of 330 in the men section got sufficient prize money to cover their expenses!
The ECU, thus, proves unable to find decent sponsorship for its most prestigious event and takes advantage of the huge number of participants, who are attracted only by FIDE qualification spots. Nevertheless, even under these circumstances, the ECU feels entitled to retain 20% of the prize fund. In addition to this, the ECU traditionally collects the ECU fee of 65€ from all participants. In our opinion, it is already too much.
The introduction of one more organization fee of 50 € can only be considered as huge exaggeration.
Besides, it contradicts ECU’s own Financial Regulations. We’re referring to point 4.2. on entry fees:
“When a federation enters a participant (participating team) for a European event (including the defending champion) it has the obligation to pay an entry fee according to annex 1 [The annex 1 confirms only the ECU fee of 65 € ]. Besides the entry fee, only a payment for accommodation, if the tournament regulation provides for it, and for special services may be asked.”
We therefore ask FIDE and all European national federations to protect their players’ interests and fight against the ECU “fee policy”.
2. Collection of the ECU fee of 65 € during the tournament
When writing the Tournament Regulations, the ECU included the new organization fee, but omitted the usual ECU fee. Excuses given by the ECU, like “We forgot to include it”, can not be taken seriously. Participants of the event were definitely misled: considering the Tournament Regulations, it seemed clear that would be only one fee.
However, the ECU insisted on all players having to pay the ECU fee of 65 €, and threatened to expel from the event all those who would not comply with this.
The ACP feels compelled to state the following on this matter:
a) The ECU had no right to collect the ECU fee of 65 € from the players, as this fee was not in the Tournament Regulations.
The explanation given by the ECU, that this fee was mentioned in a circular letter sent to all national federations a long time ago, does not change anything for players who could not even be aware of this letter. It is easy to hide one’s own errors by putting the responsibility on national federations. But if an error in the Tournament Regulations has occurred, nothing can be done, as the official Tournament Regulations always remain the prevailing reference. Otherwise, very important information concerning a tournament can easily be hidden intentionally in different Internet corners, old letters etc. One should not be forced to look for essential details in numerous sources.
b) The threat to expel players from the tournament was outrageous and shameful, as players did not break any point of Tournament Regulations.
c) Players, who were not aware of the ECU fee in advance and were forced to pay it under the threat of expulsion, should get their money back.
The opinion of FIDE, national federations and players on this important issue will be highly appreciated.
ACP Board
Source: ACP Website
Just one more example about how structures, rules and “systems” don’t necessarily prevent fraud and abuse. The key factor has always been people. If you have ‘bent’ people in charge, you’ll get crooked results…
We know this, these kind of people who want to make an easy EURO are everywhere. The question is why this is allowed to happen year after year a(jf Hotell prizes that are hilarious etc)? Well, I am afraid most don´t care on the top. Or even worse….