FICA Media Release
FICA QUERY INDIAN CRICKET LEAGUE (ICL) RE NON PAYMENT OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OWED TO PLAYERS
Federation of International Cricketers Associations’ (FICA) Chief Executive Tim May, today queried how the Indian Cricket League was going to finance its legal action against ECB, BCCI and ICC, when it continues to avoid payment of outstanding fees to players, officials and support staff.
“For a number of months, FICA (on behalf of a number of players from numerous countries) has been in discussions with the ICL in relation to outstanding payments to players, officials and support staff, relating as far back to 2008.
“These outstanding monies amount to millions of dollars.
“FICA and the players have constantly been informed by ICL, that they will meet these obligations on specified dates. Unfortunately these dates continually pass without any sign of payment to players, officials and support staff”
“The players are sick and tired of the broken commitments from ICL and the evasiveness of various ICL officials and now after exhausting all reasonable efforts to settle the issue amicably, they believe they have no other option than to contemplate legal action against ICL for the recovery of these payments.
“The players are aware that ICL recently appointed UK lawyers, Ingram Winter Green, to file actions against ECB, BCCI and ICC for unlawful restraint of trade and various other restrictive trade practices
“Quite rightly those who are owed money are querying how Essel Sports Private Ltd (ESPL - the owners of ICL) can facilitate payment to the lawyers but not meet its previous obligations to players and staff.
May, whilst conceding that a positive outcome against the Boards would be a positive for the ICL and its ability for its Event to be officially recognised by the ICC, warned ICL that even if it was to win its case, it would have significant difficulty in recruiting players to the league.
“In blunt terms, the players have lost trust in the ICL and the Essel Group.
“No player will want to play in a League that has a history of treating players with such little regard.
“ICL need to re establish formal communication with the players and settle these outstanding payments as a matter of priority if they are to recover the loss of faith of the player community”
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Tim May – FICA Chief Executive
Phone: +1 512 944 9139
Email: tbamay@gmail.com
Notes to Editors
The Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) was established in 1998 to co-ordinate the activities of all national players’ associations which protect the interests of professional cricketers throughout the world. It brings together all of the world’s cricketers, regardless of nationality, religion, political persuasion or race, under an international body focuses on matters of general interest to the game and its players.
Its member associations include — Australian Cricketers’ Association, Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh, New Zealand Cricket Players’ Association, Professional Cricketers’ Association (UK), South African Cricketers’ Association, Sri Lankan Cricketers’ Association, West Indies Players’ Association.