If a tournament advertises adherence to the rules as set by the FIFJP and a team competing refuses to play because of the use of equipment that meets the approval of the FIFJP, have they in fact forfeited
the match?

Hi,

I presume you mean players had leisure boules rather than competition boules?

I would say, if it was a "serious" competition, then, yes, competition boules must be used. If players don't have the correct equipment, then they can't play.

If it was a low-key club competition, I'd be more inclined to relax the rules - but this really should be made clear in advance.

Another option might be to have a few spare sets of boules that you could hire to players.

HTH

Regards,

Ray Ager

If I'm not mistaken, the problem of whether the team's refusal to play means forfeiture is covered in the rules by Article 2b (if the match has started), and by Article 32 if the match hasn't commenced(although you would, in theory, have to wait for 1 hour in this instance).

If the rules of the cometition were clear, why did the team enter if they knew they didn't have the right equipment?!