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The Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) today called on the International Cricket Council (ICC) Board to direct N. Srinivasan to stand aside from all ICC functions. FICA Executive Chairman Paul Marsh today said it was imperative that the ICC Board acted strongly in response to the situation involving Mr Srinivasan.

“Serious allegations of betting and spot fixing in IPL 2013 have been made against Mr Gurunath Meiyappan as the alleged Team Principal of Chennai Super Kings and these remain the subject of proceedings before the Indian Supreme Court. “Mr Srinivasan is the Managing Director of Indian Cements Limited (the owner of the Chennai Super Kings) and is also the father-in-law of Mr Meiyappan. “The Supreme Court order from last Friday noted that Mr Srinivasan had made a written offer through his legal counsel to step aside from his functions as BCCI President until investigations into the allegations against him were completed.

“The Supreme Court has issued an interim order prohibiting any employees of India Cements Limited (other than players or commentators) from performing any duties for the BCCI. FICA understands that the order applies to Mr Srinivasan, as Managing Director of the company.”

Mr Marsh called on the ICC Board to take note of the Supreme Court’s recent orders and apply the same principles to ICC activities.

“While we are pleased that Mr Srinivasan, at the behest of the Supreme Court, has agreed to step down from his duties as BCCI President, we are of the firm belief that he should not be exercising any functions on behalf of the ICC either, while any investigations concerning his conduct or that of his company are pending or unresolved,” he said.

“The cricket world has been told time and again by the ICC that corruption is the game’s biggest issue and that the game has a zero tolerance approach to it. “For our game to survive we need it to be not only free of corruption but free of any suspicion of corruption. “The ICC needs to put the reputation of the game and confidence in its procedures first. The players, and other stakeholders in the game, are entitled to expect this from the ICC’s Executive Board. “Under the current circumstances, the prospect of Mr Srinivasan taking the highest posting in world cricket while these matters are unresolved, is an impossible one,” Mr Marsh said.

For further information, please contact:

Paul Marsh – FICA Executive Chairman

(Media enquiries via Eivion Bowen)

Email: ebowen@auscricket.com.auPhone: +61 425 555 569
Website: www.thefica.com

The Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) was established in 1998 to co-ordinate the activities of all national players’ associations which protect the interests of professional cricketers throughout the world. It brings together all of the world’s cricketers, regardless of nationality, religion, political persuasion or race, under an international body focuses on matters of general interest to the game and its players.