ICC president Percy Sonn has warned that Indian Cricket Board’s (BCCI) refusal to sign the Members’ Participation Agreement (MPA) could put the 2011 World Cup in jeopardy. “If the BCCI fails to agree to the terms of the MPA, it will of course mean that they could not continue as one of the joint hosts of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, thus putting the entire tournament in jeopardy,” Sonn said in a statement issued here today. Sonn also set the BCCI a Monday deadline to notify it of any difficulties with the MPA, which lays down guidelines and restrictions, including those that deal with ambush marketing, that the players must follow during all ICC events in 2007-15. “We hope an agreement can be reached and that common sense will prevail,” he added. The BCCI said last week that it would not sign the MPA in its present form since it had objections to several clauses in it. Sonn said that the new MPA addresses Indian concerns and that he was disappointed that BCCI had raised its objections so late in the day. “The new MPA is significantly more flexible than the agreements that regulate participation in ICC events through to 2007,” he said. “In particular, the MPA addresses all areas of concern raised by Indian players ahead of previous ICC events and provides more scope for players and boards to maintain their own interests. “Six months ago we circulated the MPA . and over the subsequent months we have had extensive and fruitful negotiations with many of our members that have helped us develop the contents of the agreement to suit our mutual needs. It is thus very disappointing that the BCCI has only recently been able to review the agreement and raise its concerns,” he added. The 2011 World Cup is to be jointly hosted by India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
