ICC row: Vinod Rai’s directive reins in BCCI officials ahead of Sunday’s SGM

The Committee of Administrators (CoA) heading the Indian Board has directed cricket officials not to send any drastic communication to the International Cricket Council (ICC) without its approval until a decision is taken at BCCI’s Sunday’s Special General Meeting (SGM) on Sunday.

In a letter, the CoA told BCCI members that any decision to invoke the Member Participation Agreement (MPA) – needed if India takes the extreme step of pulling out of next month’s Champions Trophy in England --- will require the approval of the court-appointed body headed by former CAG, Vinod Rai.

The CoA issued the directive after it learnt some members were trying to bring pressure on acting secretary, Amitabh Chaudhary, to write to the ICC before the SGM invoking the MPA.

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This letter effectively bars the BCCI officials from making any move before Sunday’s meeting as the influential body looks to hit back after being outvoted in last week’s ICC Board meet. India’s share, as of now, has been pruned from around $570 million to $293 million.

No pressure on Secretary

Vinod Rai told HT, “The SGM will decide on the course of action to be taken for participation in the Champions Trophy. What we have made clear is that any decision pertaining to the exercise of rights or remedies under the MPA that pre-empts the SGM will be done only after prior approval of the CoA. The CoA doesn’t want members pressurising the secretary or any top official into sending a letter to ICC before the SGM, as has come to light. Let it be decided at the SGM.”

The BCCI’s SGM in New Delhi on Sunday is expected to give a strong response after the ICC scrapped the 2014 Big Three revenue and administrative model piloted by former ICC boss, N Srinivasan.

The members will decide whether to invoke the MPA or not, effectively decide whether to boycott the Champions Trophy or not.

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BCCI eye deadline

BCCI officials in favour of exercising the MPA say this is the last chance as it will become difficult after June when the new ICC constitution will come into effect.

The CoA’s letter to BCCI said, “All letters, notices and other correspondence on behalf of the BCCI which seek to invoke or exercise any rights/remedies under the MPA entered into between the BCCI and the ICC Business Corporation FZ-LLC (IBC) shall only be issued with the prior approval of the Committee of Administrators.

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“The direction in paragraph 1 above shall also apply to letters, notices and other correspondence which seek to invoke or exercise any rights/remedies against the ICC.”

The CoA’s statement said its order has been issued “with a view to ensuring the management and administration of the BCCI are carried out in accordance with the orders passed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court as well as in the interests of good governance.”