ICC asks India to clear tax-related issues

Ehsan Mani: 'India needs to clarify the tax position' © Getty Images

The International Cricket Council has stated that India could host the Champions Trophy next year only if the tax-exemption issue was sorted out soon. Ehsan Mani, the ICC president, told Press Trust of India that despite discussing the issue with Indian officials last month, the ICC has failed to receive any response from the government or the BCCI on the matter.

"The important point that we are going to discuss here is the Champions Trophy to be held in India, but India needs to clarify the tax position," said Mani, who is in India for the ICC executive board meeting. "I met union finance minister P Chidambaram and sports minister Sunil Dutt - they were kind enough with their patient hearing but we are still waiting for their answers in the next couple of days."

Last year, the ICC had warned the Indian board that India's chances of hosting a major tournament might be in jeopardy due to the high tax rates. "India is seeking to hold high-profile events including the Olympics, the Commonwealth Games besides the ICC events. India need to address this issue immediately. They must have absolute clarity on the issue." He also added that the ICC was still facing tax-related matters from the 1996 World Cup which was held in the subcontinent.