Straw: 'British sport is not state-run'

After talks today between the government and the ECB on the thorny issue of England's proposed tour of Zimbabwe, the outcome was predictably indecisive. The government said it was in no position to cancel the tour, while the ECB said it will put the matter before the board for further discussions.

After the meeting, Jack Straw, the foreign secretary, and Tessa Jowell, the culture secretary, faced the media. They stressed that although the government didn't agree with Robert Mugabe's regime in Zimbabwe, it was in no position to dictate to the ECB what to do, and couldn't decree on who could, and could not, leave the country. Straw added that the players should have a choice in whether to go.

"The British government has no such power to prevent England from touring Zimbabwe," said Straw. "We do not have state-run cricket in this country, and nor should we. To those who suggest that the government should intervene, they should consider what that would involve. It would mean giving the state powers to criminalise entirely innocent sportsmen.

"We would prefer that the tour was postponed until such time as the situation in Zimbabwe is more stable," added Straw, "but it is right for the sporting authorities to make such decisions."

David Morgan, the ECB's chairman, also fielded questions from reporters, and insisted that he accepted and appreciated the government's stance. "I understand the government's position," he said. "They don't have the powers to over-rule the tour, and we do not seek state-controlled cricket."

Though Morgan denied that the ICC's threat of a hefty fine was a smokescreen for the ECB's indecision, he insisted it would be a crippling consequence. But, he added: "We realise that it is unacceptable to the majority of the British public if England tour Zimbabwe.

"We at ECB have the greatest sympathy for the people of Zimbabwe and for the cricket fraternity of that country," added Morgan. "But our players are our most important asset and we will seek assurances about their safety before proceeding with the tour. They, like the Board, are in an invidious position and I want to make it clear that the ECB will not force any individual player to tour Zimbabwe if he does not wish to do so as a matter of personal conscience.

"The choices facing us have been well-rehearsed," he concluded. "If we refuse to tour ... then we face the real threat of very severe sanctions, which could have a devastating impact on the well-being of our game. I would ask you to bear in mind that not a single member of the ICC supports a moral or political boycott of Zimbabwe; Sri Lanka are currently touring and Australia will follow shortly."