May 04, 2008	Sunday	Rabi-us-Sani 27, 1429

MUMBAI, May 3: An arbiter on Saturday passed an interim order restraining Pakistan’s star batsman Mohammad Yousuf from participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL), an Indian Cricket League (ICL) lawyer said.

“Justice (retd) Dr B.P. Saraf passed an interim order restraining Yousuf from participating in the IPL in any manner,” said ICL’s lawyer Hitesh Jain.

Jain added that now there would be a final hearing, which is likely to commence in July.

Yousuf and the ICL are caught up in a legal wrangle, as the latter alleged that the player breached his earlier contract with them and signed up for the IPL.

The dispute then landed before arbiter Dr Saraf who, on Dec 15 last year, restrained Yousuf from playing for any rival league till further orders.

Though Yousuf signed up for the IPL, he was not picked up by any of the franchise teams.

Advocate Jain said Saturday’s order was the first of its kind in Indian sports. “It is significant for the IPL too,” the ICL lawyer stated.

At this stage, no penalty has been imposed on Yousuf, but the arbiter may contemplate such action at the time of final decision, he added.—Agencies