May 29, 2007	Tuesday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 12, 1428

LONDON, May 28: Federation of International Cricketers Associations (Fica) has threatened to boycott next year's Champions Trophy in Pakistan if ICC fails to curb mismanagement of the game.

According to a report in The Times, Fica directors are due to meet ICC executives this week in Dubai where they will put up their case before game's governing body. Fica is demanding genuine attempt on part of ICC to reorganise its governance on less political lines.

Issuing a warning bell to ICC, Richard Bevan, a director of Fica said, “Strike would be too strong a word. Every player has to sign terms for each ICC event. We are more or less satisfied with arrangements for first Twenty20 World Cup in September, but unless we see signs of a will to change, players could withhold their support for next Champions Trophy. It's tournament players are least happy about.”

Chief executive of Fica Tim May, Tony Irish from South Africa and Bevan are travelling to Dubai this week to check if ICC is making any attempt to reform its decision-making process, which according to FICA should be in best interest of the game.

“Our frustration is that we have 10 Test-playing countries voting politically on some issues such as who will succeed Percy Sonn. They take cricketing and commercial decisions that are often not linked with one another. A more independent administration is needed,” Bevan said.

The latest crisis between Fica and the ICC arouse after majority of international cricketers had shown dissatisfaction over ICC's scheduling of tournaments which is resulting in players' burn-out.

Moreover, professional cricketers body also want that less of income generated by game's governing body should go to essentially amateur countries for development of game's infrastrucure.

Earlier this month, Fica released a report stating 56 percent of players were not satisfied and lacked confidence in ICC's ability to govern the game.

However, ICC dismissed this survey by saying Fica only represents players from five Full Member countries and none of Associates, so a sample survey is not providing correct picture.

Bevan strictly objected ICC claims saying, “That is only because players' associations in other countries are not officially recognised by their own cricket boards.”—Agencies