August 17, 2002	Saturday	Jamadi-us-Saani 7, 1423

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TANGIERS, Aug 16: Pakistan distanced itself from the conflict between the game’s controlling body and some of the teams on the players contracts.

Pakistan manager Yawar Saeed said Friday that his team would be signing the contract by Monday.

“Pakistan considers the ICC as the supreme body and then there is no direct clash of interest between the Pakistan players and ICC over the sponsors of its tournament,” Yawar said.

Ausralia, England, India and New Zealand have refused to sign the contracts that have left the four teams on collison course with the ICC.

When pointed out Pakistan might not have a direct clash with any of the sponsors in the ICC Champions Trophy and the World Cup where Pepsi is the sponsor but could happen next year when Pepsi’s rival can secure the sponsorship, Yawar said the players contracts was for 30 days before the tournament and 30 days after the tournament.

“But yes, this is a issue that we will have to discuss at board level when we return Pakistan.

Yawar will be leaving for Cape Town on Aug 27 to attend the managers meeting on the issue. He said he hasn’t seen the agenda of the meeting and was therefore, not in a position to discuss that at this stage.