The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Legislation must for tour pull out

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 15, 2005

Sport

Sport - Cricket

Legislation must for tour pull out

NEW DELHI: No country will be able to pull out of a tour unless prevented by a government legislation, according to a release by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The ICC said on Thursday the Future Tours Programme (FTP) provides that a tour should take place unless a Government prohibits such a tour by making it illegal for its cricket team to participate in that tour. The ICC President, Ehsan Mani, said, "Where a Government does not legally prevent its cricket team from playing against another country, the cricket board would still be expected to fulfil its obligations under the FTP. The FTP is the basis on which cricket around the world is able to function and it underpins the health of the game.

"The FTP is the basis on which cricket around the world is able to function and it underpins the health of the game. All of our members understand this and work within the legal frameworks of their countries to fulfil their obligations. For example in the instance of England's tour of Zimbabwe last year the UK Government did not provide any such legally binding directive and the England and Wales Cricket Board fulfilled its commitment to tour," he said.

Mr. Mani added, "The ICC's members agree that it is the responsibility of Governments to provide a legal framework in which sport within their countries must operate."

ICC regulations list only three circumstances under which those penalties can be waived: if a tour is cancelled over legitimate concerns for the safety of players, if a force majeure occurs which makes a tour impossible or if a tour is made illegal by act of government.

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