ICC faces another crisis

The Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA) has advised all international players not to sign ICC World Cup contracts.

FICA, which represents most Test-playing nations, is concerned that the contracts will conflict with the current endorsement and sponsorship commitments of some players.

Only those who agree to the ICC's terms and conditions and sign the contracts can play in cricket's most prestigious tournament, to be held in South Africa next year.

FICA was established in 1998 to co-ordinate the activities of all national players' associations. The association has member players' associations of 7 of the 10 Test-playing nations. India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are the three countries that do not have player associations.

Talk of players withdrawing their services for the World Cup is, however, premature, says Tim May, chief executive of the Australian Cricketers' Association and Joint CEO of FICA.

"Players are serious this time,'' May said. "Player associations understand commercial issues as well.''

According to May, FICA is presently discussing the contracts with the ICC. There are two sticking points at the moment - the first being the use of player image and the second being the legal rights of players with pre-existing commercial obligations with entities that conflict with World Cup sponsors.

FICA is making progress on the first point, in negotiations with the ICC, and there seems to be hope that the issue can be resolved to the satisfaction of both parties, says May.

The second issue reflects a situation that may place many players in breach of pre-existing obligations they have with their private sponsors.

"Therefore as the players' representative body, we would be negligent in our duties to recommend players signing the players' agreement in its present form, as it could place players in the position of facing legal action from their private endorsement contracts," says May.

As a collective, the players have not been subject to a detailed briefing of these matters; however all players associations are aware of the situation and have backed FICA in their stance at the negotiating table.

The problem that the ICC is facing in this regard is that they have already sold these rights to the official sponsors, when actually they do not own them. In essence, they have gone about matters in a back to front manner.

Simply put FICA will not accept a position whereby players' legal rights may be infringed by signing the World Cup Players Agreement.

The ICC had earlier adopted all 24 recommendations made by Sir Paul Condon, the anti-corruption ICC officer in his report on corruption in the game, one of which calls for the role of players and their representative bodies to be "enhanced".

The ICC told rediff.com that it is in discussion with Federation of International Cricket Associations (FICA) regarding the proposed agreements to be signed by players who wish to play in the 2003 World Cup.

FICA has raised with the ICC the concerns of some players over the proposed limitations on them to associate with individual sponsors that are competitors of the commercial partners of the World Cup during the tournament period.

The limitation is designed to protect the tournament's commercial partners from ambush marketing programs.

ICC General Manager - Cricket, David Richardson, who is leading the discussion with FICA said that he expects the discussion to continue as both parties sought to reach agreement on the issue.

"FICA has raised this matter with us and we are currently working through the issues to try and arrive at some common ground," said Mr Richardson.

"Clearly the players should be able to use their image and identity for commercial purposes but it is important that this is not done to the detriment of those organisations whose support allows tournaments such as the World Cup to be staged.

"Commercial partnerships are essential for the sport's success and the ICC will ensure that these rights are fully understood and respected by all cricket's stakeholders.

"It may take a little more time but I am confident that we will reach an agreement with those players who have this concern that is acceptable to all parties."