Players' body demands official recognition from ICC

The Federation of International Cricketers' Association (FICA) has rejected an International Cricket Council (ICC) player representation proposal, demanding official recognition from the world governing body at a players' meeting in Sri Lanka.

According to a FICA media release, a meeting attended by cricketers from nine Test-playing countries, had "endorsed representation and the role played by FICA in regard to all player issues dealt with by the ICC."

Specifically, they rejected an ICC proposal that restricted player representatives by imposing the qualification that they must have played Test cricket during the 10 years prior to them fulfilling their representation roles.

"The ICC should recognise those representatives legitimately elected, or appointed, by the cricketers themselves free from qualification by the ICC," said the release.

The smouldering player sponsorship row, due to erupt again before next year's ICC World Cup, was also discussed at the meeting with the players, "mandating FICA to seek clarification from the ICC on the exact terms of sponsorship restrictions placed upon them."

The release says: "A full understanding of the ICC's agreement with the Global Cricket Corporation (GCC) is essential in the wake of what are considered to be conflicting messages sent out by the ICC regarding whether or not players must be restricted for 30 days before and after the event in order to protect the advertising rights granted to event sponsors."

To avoid a repeat of the sponsorship row that threatened the participation of key players in the ICC Champions Trophy, the release says: "It is considered fundamental that the ICC give assurance that it will in future both consult and negotiate with the with representatives of the players choosing on all such player matters."

FICA will seek an assurance on this at the ICC Executive meeting in early October 2002.

Finally, FICA said: "Concern was expressed following indications that the ICC may be considering imposing a ban on any player who refuses to sign player terms relating to ICC events. Given that such signature immediately places some players in a position of having to dishonour pre-existing individual sponsorship obligations it was felt that any suggestion is highly inappropriate and likely to be unlawful."