SA chief backs players in ICC dispute

South African cricket's managing director Gerald Majola has backed the world's top players in a dispute over sponsorship deals.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has ordered all players to sign a contract foregoing all personal endorsements in favour of ICC sponsors but the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA) has rejected the move.

Speaking in Tangiers on Wednesday, where South Africa are playing in a triangular tournament with Pakistan and Sri Lanka, Majola, one of the game's leading administrators, said: "Personally I really sympathise with them (the players) and I can see where they are coming from."

Australia's Players' Association president Tim May has called the contract "illegal" and urged the world's cricketers not to sign it.

South Africa's players only recently formed a Players' Association but have quickly become an important member of FICA.

"It is a matter for FICA and the ICC to sort out. Personally, and in my capacity as United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA) managing director, I will do everything I possibly can to facilitate a solution, but I'm not sure there is anything I can do at the moment," Majola said.

"I have spoken to our Players' Association to get their view and they have said they will be guided by FICA. I have to believe there will be an amicable solution in the end. We all hope so."

Mail Cricket Editor