The Indian Cricket League (ICL) has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court to restrain the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from "claiming to the public that they represent India".
The ICL has also contended that the BCCI cannot "threaten" players and deny the pensions of former cricketers who have joined the league. The petition argued that the BCCI cannot prevent the ICL from using the name of the country or from using the national flag, reports Cricinfo.
In addition, the ICL has sought a direction from the court to allow it to use stadia across the country for its tournaments.
But the law states that there can be only one apex body representing a sport at the national level, and the BCCI, since its formation in 1929, had governed cricket in India.
The matter is expected to come up for hearing Monday.
Meantine, The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is on the verge of forming a two-tier cricket league that will involve domestic leagues in four countries and an international league.
It's believed to be along the lines of professional football, with clubs being able to hire players from wherever they like to play in a Twenty20 format.
Cricket Australia is believed to be involved in the process and the International Management Group (IMG), the event manager, is putting it all together.
IMG is set to meet with officials of four cricket boards - India, Australia, South Africa and England - next week in Singapore, to finalise the details. According to the deal, details of which first appeared in Hindustan Times, there will be domestic leagues in these countries, where the cricket economy can support such a structure. Players from other countries, including Pakistan and Sri Lanka, will be able to take part in any of these leagues.
Further, the top sides from each of the four leagues, likely to be called Professional Cricket Leagues, will then take part in a Champions Cricket League, similar to the Champions League in football.
If this plan does work, it would be a severe blow to the fledgling Indian Cricket League, which has targeted the same sector - format, players, audience - but has the disadvantage of not being recognised by the BCCI, with whom it is effectively in hostile competition.
Lalit Modi, from the BCCI, and James Sutherland, from Cricket Australia, are believed to be spearheading this venture, and have been planning it for several months.
Officials from IMG recently met Sharad Pawar, the Indian board president, and made a presentation. But it was not put before the working committee of the board - which is the body that will make a final decision on the matter - to ensure it stayed under wraps till the deal was through. — Cricinfo
ICL files petition against BCCI
FE Team | Published: August 25, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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