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ICC incompetent to govern the game: FICA survey
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May 16, 2007 16:29 IST
Last Updated: May 16, 2007 16:37 IST

A survey by the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations shows players are unimpressed with the International Cricket Council's

"outdated" ways of governance and its ability to conduct big events like the recent World Cup.

The FICA poll, conducted on 45 cricketers from the nine Test-playing nations, revealed that 56 per cent of players were not satisfied with ICC's governance.

The survey also said 89 nine per cent of players found the recent World Cup in the Caribbean as either average (44 per cent), below average (38 per cent) or poor (eight per cent) and only three per cent rated it excellent while eight per cent called it good.

FICA's Chief Executive Tim May said the players' responses were "disturbing" and should be of "great concern" to the ICC.

"The ICC came across as out of touch with the rest of the cricketing world. The players' growing opinion is that decisions are increasingly being made through self-interest and/or party alliances rather than what is best for the game," May said.

"An independent review would determine what is the best and most applicable structure for cricket's international governing body," he was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald on Wednesday.

"There has been a growing amount of dissatisfaction amongst a wide variety of cricket stakeholders over the past 24 months, regarding the governance of our game," he added.

May did not blame ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed for the negative responses but said various subcommittees, consisting of delegates from member nations were responsible for it.

"These committees' compositions are more than likely to deliver outcomes that are decided on party lines and the self interest of its members, rather than the overall good of the game," he said.

"Affiliation and loyalty to committee members' constituencies must take second place to their duty to the international board and the game as a whole. We strongly believe that the present structure and composition of such committees is outdated and not in the best interests of the game," he added.

The World Cup, criticised for being too long, having too many lopsided matches, lacking local flavour, high ticket prices and lose security, was also marred by a chaotic final between Australia and Sri Lanka due to rain interruptions and umpiring errors.

"The death of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer, the early exit of India and Pakistan, the long and laborious Super Eights, the lack of exciting matches, the rain-affected final, the unfortunate umpire and referee error at the final, and the long periods that players had at their disposal between matches all affected the players' opinions," May said.

Besides, players also said they had not been properly educated on ICC's policies on anti-doping, anti-corruption and the anti-racism code.

Concerns also surrounded major issues including heavy Future Tours Program, sacking of umpire Darrell Hair and Zimbabwe's status in international cricket.


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