| MEDIA RELEASEFor Immediate Release 19 August 2019FICA Comments on Postponed Euro T20 Slam and Non-Payment Issues in Domestic T20 LeaguesFollowing the postponement of the Euro T20 Slam that was scheduled for later this month, FICA Executive Chairman Tony Irish said:“Clearly this is a disappointing outcome for the players, fans, administrators and the game across three countries given the expectation raised around the event. We will continue to work with the Scottish Cricketers’ Association (SCA), Irish Cricketers’ Association (ICA), players and agents, to support players, and assess any potential recourse open to them. Some players had foregone other opportunities to commit to the league, and we also believe the league has an obligation to players to demonstrate some goodwill given the expectation created, especially if there is a genuine plan to go ahead with the event in the future.”“FICA had been in the process of assisting SCA, ICA and the players to put in place some basic contractual protections, in particular relating to player payments specific to the Euro T20 Slam. What has happened now simply emphasises the need for these protections.”“Separately, FICA is also aware of numerous cases of players not being paid what is owed to them under their playing contracts for other previously completed domestic T20 leagues.” “In FICA’s 2018/19 global player surveys of almost 400 current men’s and women’s professional players from across FICA affiliated countries, more than 34% of players said they had experienced late payment or non-payment under a cricket contract.” “Sadly examples of breach of contract and non-payment of players are becoming more prevalent in the game around the world. This should not be allowed to develop into an acceptable practice in any area of the cricket industry”.”Cricket regulates players globally in a number of areas and players are subject to numerous onerous global codes and regulations. Many of these play an important role for the sport. However, the players also play a critical role for the sport globally, and it’s time for enforceable protections to be put in place for players too. They should not be left to exercise leverage or litigate in various part of the world to enforce basic contractual rights, especially when they’ve delivered the value that they’ve been contracted for. Like employees in all other industries, players make life decisions based on what is owed to them.””This is an issue that we are working in global regulations discussions with the ICC and member Boards and FICA has proposed proactive solutions to non-payment issues. We will continue to advocate for appropriate protections to form part of the game’s regulatory framework, including minimum contract standards, payment enforcement mechanisms, and a fit for purpose dispute resolution body. There is precedent for similar measures in progressive sports around the world.””In the meantime, we will monitor these issues across the game and focus, and where necessary shine a light, on instances where this practice is clearly taking place.-ENDS- -MORE- The Federation of International Cricketers Associations (FICA) is the global players’ representative body in cricket, protecting and promoting the interests of professional cricketers throughout the world. FICA was established in 1998 to co-ordinate the activities of all national players’ associations. FICA is a democratic player-driven organisation and it brings together the world’s cricketers, past and present, regardless of nationality, religion, political persuasion or race under an international body which focuses on matters that directly or indirectly affect the players, collectively and individually. FICA Structure President – Vikram Solanki Executive Chairman – Tony Irish Chief Operating Officer – Tom Moffat FICA Board Australian Cricketers’ Association – Alistair Nicholson Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh – Debabrata Paul Irish Cricketers’ Association – Cecelia Joyce New Zealand Cricket Players’ Association – Heath Mills Professional Cricketers’ Association (UK) – David Leatherdale Scottish Cricketers’ Association – Alasdair Evans South African Cricketers’ Association – Tony Irish Sri Lankan Cricketers’ Association – Ken De Alwis West Indies Players’ Association – Wavell Hinds Independent – Lisa Sthalekar For further information please contact media@thefica.com -FICA |