ICC to recognise players' associations
The ICC has taken a step forward in its dealings with player associations, with the decision by its Cricket Committee - Management (CC-M) to recognise player bodies that have the approval of their national cricket boards
S Rajesh
19-Sep-2003
The ICC has taken a step forward in its dealings with player associations, with the decision by its Cricket Committee - Management (CC-M) to recognise player bodies that have the approval of their national cricket boards.
Speaking on the issue, Malcolm Speed, the ICC's chief executive, said: "The emergence of player associations has become an issue in cricket in recent years. What has happened at this meeting - and this is subject to review by the executive board of the ICC - is that the chief executives of the CC-M have agreed that ICC should recognise player associations where they exist, and where they have the consent of the board."
Speed clarified that the ICC would not insist that a board recognise a players' body. On the issue of the Federation of International Cricketers' Association (FICA), Speed stated that it represented only six or seven countries at present. While the ICC would recognise FICA as the representative for those teams - contingent on the approvals from the respective boards - other player bodies would be consulted for the remainder of the teams.
Speaking specifically about the Indian scenario, Speed put the ball firmly in the BCCI's court. "The situation in India as I understand it is the players have sought to establish an association, and are seeking recognition of the BCCI. If the players' body were to be recognised by the BCCI, and if they are comfortable with the ICC working with the players' association, then we will do so; if the BCCI say 'We don't recognise the players' association, or we do not wish you to deal with them', then we would not deal with them. Ultimately, it's the decision for the board to take."