ICC Board questions value of FICA relationship

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has today written to the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA) following concerns expressed by the ICC Board about the value of the ICC's ongoing relationship with FICA.

ICC President Ehsan Mani said that the Board questioned whether the ICC should be dealing with a body that has the authority to represent players from only half of the Full Member countries in its dealings with the ICC.

"The ICC Board has asked ICC management to review the policy on dealing with FICA ahead of its next meeting on 30 April as it is of the preliminary view that the current arrangement does not work," said Mr Mani.

The ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed has subsequently written to FICA today outlining the Board's concerns.

"The Board is of the preliminary view that a spirit of co-operation between players and administrators would be better served by each individual Board dealing with its own players/player representatives," said Mr Speed.

"The Board is concerned that FICA is currently representative of only five player associations which are recognised by their respective Boards.

"Concerns have also been raised that FICA is attempting to become involved with issues which are the domain of individual Boards and their players/player associations.

"In addition members of the ICC Board were critical of FICA's apparent lack of respect or consideration for any views which conflict with its (FICA's) own views and its unnecessarily belligerent approach to its dealings with ICC."

The ICC Board established a formal consultation process on common player issues with FICA and other player associations recognised by their home Boards in October 2003.