Billiards Digest - Pool's Top Source for News, Views, Tips & More

Deuel Apologizes to Williams
Aug 20, 2008, 1:02 PM

Deuel forfeited his match in the round of 16.

Following an altercation at the Lucasi Hybrid Invitational Classic, Corey Deuel and Charlie Williams have publicly stated that they have put the incident behind them.

On Friday, Aug. 1, Deuel forfeited his 11 a.m. match in the straight-pool division because he was late to the playing area. A conversation between Deuel and Williams, who was hosting the event through Dragon Promotions, escalated into a heated argument over the apparent miscommunication.

Deuel, who finished in ninth place after the forfeit, did not play in the 10-ball event held later that weekend.

In the days following the incident, Deuel called Williams to apologize for the outburst. The two then spoke at the Turning Stone Classic last weekend.

Williams said that Deuel has been cleared to play in the Predator World Straight Pool Championship, a Dragon Promotions event.

"We felt that his apology was sincere," Williams said. "He’s a great player, and we believe in giving people second chances."

On Aug. 20, Dragon Promotions released a written apology from Deuel.

"I understand that my actions were obviously way out of line and there were better ways to resolve these issues," Deuel said in the release.

The World Straight Pool Championship is scheduled for Aug. 24-30 at the Hilton Hotel in East Brunswick, N.J.