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Journalism of Courage
The Indian cricket board today reacted negatively to ICC8217;s ultimatum on the players8217; contracts issue, hinting it would not be in a position to accept the world body8217;s 8216;final offer8217; to resolve the dispute.
The board8217;s office-bearers met for a marathon six-hour discussion on yesterday8217;s ultimatum by ICC and decided to refer the offer to an emergent special general body meeting to be held here on December 25 as the members felt the issue was too crucial to be decided either by them or the working committee.
Board president Jagmohan Dalmiya, who has been negotiating with the ICC on the issue for more than two months now, accused the ICC of breaking an understanding of confidentiality by going public on their discussions.
He also issued a veiled threat of taking ICC to court, saying 8220;inducement for breaking pre-existing contracts would not survive in the eyes of law because it entailed a serious deprivation to players8221;.
Maintaining that the restrictive clauses were introduced in the players8217; contracts without BCCI8217;s knowledge, Dalmiya said that the board has made it clear that Indian cricketers would accept restrictions on endorsements only during the World Cup, and not before and after it.
It would also allow imaging of players by official sponsors for only two months after the event as against six months envisaged in the clauses.
No imaging of players with pre-existing conflicing contracts would be allowed, Dalmiya said.
