BCCI will not move Court of Arbitration in contracts dispute

The Indian board (BCCI) has confirmed that it will press a counter-claim against the Global Cricket Corporation (GCC) for poor marketing of the World Cup. According to a report in the Times of India, the Indian board will discuss this, and other issues relating to the contracts dispute, in its Working Committee meeting, which takes place in New Delhi on July 2 and 3.

The report added that though the board believed it was on a "good wicket" with regard to its claim for the $9 million guarantee money for the World Cup, it would not move the Court of Arbitration (CAS) for a settlement. However, the report quoted informed sources in the board as saying: "The panel of Board's lawyers, which includes eminent names like Kapil Sibal and Arun Jaitley, feel that it has a strong case as no legal agreement can force the players to go against their pre-existing contracts. Hence, if the IDI (ICC Development International) moves to the Court of Arbitration demanding the compensation from us, we will be on a very good wicket."

Meanwhile, Jagmohan Dalmiya claimed that the GCC had been given the marketing rights for the tournament for a guarantee of $550 million, despite Zee TV's higher bid of $666 million. "At the outset, there was a loss of $ 116 million as it was thought at that time that GCC will do a better marketing of the World Cup so that ICC will earn more," he said. "But they (GCC) failed to do proper marketing and we as partners in IDI cannot remain silent." However, Dalmiya didn't reveal any specifics on how the GCC's marketing had been inadequate.

Harish Thawani from Nimbus, the Indian arm of GCC, didn't respond to these charges. "Right now, we cannot comment as the contract between the ICC and GCC is bound by a secrecy clause."