The pre-tournament row on the issue of profit-sharing between ICC and the Punjab Cricket Association intensified on Friday with the game's governing body asking the host venue to sort out the vexed issues through its grievance redressal mechanism.
The PCA, which has not yet signed the host venue agreement even on the eve of the high-profile tournament, has not taken the ICC advice too kindly, saying the apex body should move the redressal forum instead.
"Some issues are still pending with the ICC. They have told us to sort out the issues through the grievance redressal mechanism. We have told them that they can take their problems to that the forum," PCA Chief I S Bindra told reporters in Mohali on Friday.
Bindra said since the ICC had decided to go ahead with organising the inaugural match here, it could mean that they would accept their conditions.
"As I said earlier, if the ICC does not accept our conditions, we may be forced to pull-out as a venue. Let the ICC host the matches somewhere else," he warned.
As part of its policy, the ICC had ensured that the four venues selected for the event were "clean", meaning that those stadiums had no contractual in-stadia and hospitality obligations.
The PCA toughened its stand on the issue only a couple of days back claiming that the ICC, which has the television and in-stadia rights for the event, had earmarked a certain portion of the ticketing revenue for itself.
"The ticket revenue is 100 per cent with the PCA. To accommodate some of the ICC requirements we had to dismantle a number of corporate boxes. All we want is that they compensate for the losses which will be to the tune of Rs 90 lakh per match," Bindra said.
As per requirements, the PCA had upgraded the media box and as a result had to do away with four corporate boxes which would lead to a loss of approximately Rs 60 lakh per match.
Besides, eight new radio boxes had to be created taking away the space for four other corporate boxes.
"Since the PCA has the right to 100 per cent ticket revenue, we have told the ICC to compensate for the loss of seats," he said.
Another bone of contention is the cost of organising the event. While the PCA has put the figure at 88.5 lakh, the ICC has estimated the budget at 53 lakh.
Asked whether the PCA was only craving for money at the cost of the game, Bindra retorted "it is not a fight with the ICC. We are just fighting for our rights, we are fighting on principles. You cannot allow that to be compromised. Cricket does not suffer and will not suffer at any time.
"Despite the issues being unresolved, we have made the best possible arrangements because we don't want the game to be affected," he added.
