NEW DELHI, June 22: English teams that qualify for the multimillion dollar Twenty20 Champions League must leave out any players who participated in the non-sanctioned Indian Cricket League (ICL) or be barred from the September-October competition, Indian officials said on Sunday.

The Champions League will feature provincial champions and runners-up from Australia, South Africa, India and England.

Lalit Modi, vice-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), told reporters the cricket boards of these four confirmed nations had agreed to send teams minus ICL participants for the Twenty20 Champions League and the contracts will be formalised next week in Dubai during the annual meeting of international cricket officials.

“The Champions League rules are being formulated by Cricket Australia (CA), and India has been asked to stage the event,” said Modi.

The BCCI on Sunday accepted the proposal to host the Twenty20 Champions League during the eight-day window between the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan and Australia’s Test tour of India.

“Clubs from England who qualify for the Twenty20 Champions League tournament can play provided the teams do not include players who are with the ICL,” BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah said.

Modi said India has explained its position to England cricket officials.

“Our stand is clear, that India will not host or participate in any event featuring players from the ICL,” said Modi, who was the chief organiser of the rival, sanctioned Indian Premier League (IPL).—AP