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Modi reiterates ICL ban for Champions League

Cricinfo staff

June 13, 2008

Comments: 133 | Text size: A | A


Chris Read and his county Nottinghamshire will be out in the cold even if they qualify for the Champions League © Getty Images
 

Lalit Modi, the IPL chairman and commissioner, has firmly ruled out the possibility of any team that includes cricketers associated with the unauthorised Indian Cricket League (ICL) participating in the proposed Champions League Twenty20 tournament, even if these players are dropped just for the event. This implies that those cricketers cannot play even in the domestic tournaments that serve as the qualifying stages for the Champions League.

It's a scenario that could open up a host of legal issues in England, with the possibility of players suing their counties if they are dropped from the Twenty20 sides. Alternatively, it could mean that most of the English county teams will not be eligible for the proposed US$ 5 million event that is expected to feature the top two Twenty20 domestic teams from India, England, Australia and South Africa. Currently, there are around 25 players, spread over 15 of the 18 county teams, with official links to the ICL.

"We are very clear on that," Modi, who is a major force behind the Champions League, told Cricinfo. Asked if counties with ICL players would be invited if they drop these players for the event, Modi said, "No, even that is not possible. Only teams that have no ties at all with ICL players will be invited... others are automatically disqualified."

The ECB had on Saturday issued a press release which said that the ECB, Cricket Australia, the BCCI and Cricket South Africa had "reached an agreement for the staging of the inaugural Champions League this autumn" to be staged either in India or the Middle East.

An ECB spokesman told Cricinfo that Cricket Australia were drawing up the rules for the competition and "it would be wrong to prejudge their decision". It is expected that the regulations will be finalised during the ICC annual conference in Dubai at the end of the month.

However, Modi indicated today that the ECB's press release did not present the final picture and was issued earlier than expected. He said details of participating teams, venues and possible dates were yet to be finalised and all that had been formalised was just an "in-principle agreement" to host such an event.

Comments: 133 
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Posted by thomas_moreg on (June 20 2008, 11:25 AM GMT)

I see nothing wrong in Kapil's decision to start ICL, even if it is money minded. ICL gives opportunities for many upcoming cricketers who in their lifetime maybe could just dream of landing in the Indian Cricket team. Such big politics are going on in BCCI and IPL.

Posted by thomas_moreg on (June 20 2008, 11:22 AM GMT)

I support ICL. One should understand that BCCI is not a government organization, but its private. If you take IT sector, Infosys cannot say Wipro should not exist. Both are giving livelyhood for a lot of employees. So if bodies like ICL did not come up, one single body like BCCI cannot cater for many others who wantsto take cricket as a profession. Only the the 16 member Indian team will have salary and maybe also those few who represents their states in Renji and other domestic events. India is a big nation and needs to cater for those under privileged cricketers as well. Also we all know that there are lot of politics going on in the team selection and not the best players are always selected. Therefore there is need for many leagues like ICL, IPL etc.. which will earn a livelyhood for many young cricketers. Thanks to KAPIL DEV. Keep it up. We support you.

Posted by redneck on (June 17 2008, 04:16 AM GMT)

Can anyone tell me if there is anything stopping another countries board say the ecb or cricket australia from sanctioning a competition being played in another country??? as if there is no rule outlawing this why doesn't ecb just sanction the icl that would bring crickets hitler down a peg or 2!!!

Posted by amitavotta on (June 16 2008, 18:30 PM GMT)

I guess Lalit has lost it completely.he is behaving in a very autocratic way. Who has given him so much power to behave in such a unsporty like character?What makes him think that whatever he says is the final say?And what is ICC really doing?Why is ICC silent on such International issues?I am surprised that ICL has not sued this guy and BCCI for taking such a stance.In the interest of the game, how does it matter if we have IPL,ICL,Stanford or any other county T20 tournaments and why be biased against one tournament?Without mincing any words i must say that Lalit has completely lost it and he should be given a breakto Hawaii islands/Mauritius so that he rewinds himself and be his normal self and not a criketing Hitler.

Posted by mattew on (June 16 2008, 07:41 AM GMT)

In every country they have their own cricket managing or supreme board, like we have Cricket Australia governing all cricket played in Australia. As that's same in India BCCI. Now I am strongly believe that Twenty 20 cricket will bring a great era in cricket in addition to great excitement, crowds and more interesting matches will be seen in twenty20. This is good unlike boring cricket, sometimes no result after 5 days. So now BCCI is the only one managing cricket in India so why have another body that just comes up front like ICL saying they will handle or compete cricket activity in an individual country. Its not possible, and ICL is already considered as rebel league. So I think it's not acceptable to get players who played in ICL. For example if another body comes in Australia and do challenge against cricket Australia and their cricket programmers. Its never acceptable and my point of view ban on ICL players is must need to continue.

Posted by VijayAndi on (June 15 2008, 04:49 AM GMT)

Modi is all high on his power trip... mate you are nowhere near in developing cricket in this country as you claim to be doing, with all your stupid statements like this... you are making it worse... and personally I dont see you going anywhere constructive with your Motives towards this game, me being a strong supporter of cricket and team India, I really belive you are the guy to be relived out of your duties before you hurt it more. I m sure its not going to be long before the other countries start screwing you for your stupid comments and policies... and at this point, I would really want to see that to happen. Wake up before its too late, Hope Pawar knows what he is aiding.

Posted by Suppaman on (June 14 2008, 23:12 PM GMT)

Cricket in iIndia is only popular at international level , this can be seen from local tournaments and championships in India. Very few people watch Ranji trophy games, I would call on international players and international teams to stop playing cricket with India and BCCI can be brought to its heel.Sponsporship and television rights are only vied for international matches.Even IPL was successful only because international players were competing in it . I would have liked to see if IPL would have been successful if only indian players were competing. I would call on all other test playing countries to stop playing with India to stop their bullying nature. This will be a way forward for cricket to save the game from shenninghans like Modi

Posted by venbas on (June 14 2008, 18:39 PM GMT)

I am surprised Modi has not been dragged to court Already. Both the BCCI and its offshoot IPL are supposed to be Not-For-Profit organizations. Even within the legal framework guaranteed by Indian laws, Modi will have a tough time facing any court of law in India let alone an EU court!!! Modi is no saint to take a moral stand either, as he has been a spoilt rich kid who has graced the jails of USA in his hey days doing his Masters in the US. Maybe its time to send that money minded criminal back to Jail where he rightfully belongs. Let the Cricket prosper!!!!

Posted by rspr on (June 14 2008, 18:15 PM GMT)

He is behaving like a dictator with his mind simmering with the lure of money. His earlier idea of inducting IPL thrice in a calendar year was a superlative of stupidity. He is nothing more than a business man who ruffles whenever he finds mine to dig more gold out of it. I wondered for a moment if Mr.Pawar had passed on the reigns to Mr. Modi. Time has come to clip his wings....he lets dismaying things fly by his mouth.

Posted by Amwyll_Rwden on (June 14 2008, 14:10 PM GMT)

It makes one want to cheer on the ICL even more!

What do you make of Modi's comments. Is this another attempt to control the game?
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