Why did BCCI react so late on the MPA issue: Malcom Speed

ICC chief says can8217;t compare Azharuddin ban and Warne fine

ICC CEO Malcolm Speed today sought to allay concerns expressed by the BCCI on the Members8217; Playing Agreement, saying it was 8220;far more lenient8221; than the present one.

Speed also questioned the Indian Board on the delay in reverting on the MPA, which was first drafted in April. The ICC chief, in Jaipur to catch Champions Trophy action, spoke on a wide range of issues confronting the world body. Excerpts:

On the MPA impasse:

This MPA contract is far more lenient than the previous one. The new document has fewer obligations with regard to the Squad or Player Terms. The first draft was sent to the members in April, and it was not until the last days of September that the BCCI raised its concerns. Other members, like England, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan had concerns too and the draft was re-drafted. What we now have is the fifth draft. If we need to do the sixth, or seventh or eighth draft, we will do that.

The BCCI has problems with one clause, wherein its written that ICC can rework the contract between the period. We needed this agreement to facilitate the members to deal with a third party. Any one person in the ICC cannot vary it; the terms can be varied only if seven of the Full Members come to an agreement collectively at a meeting. India have a say in that.

On Azharuddin invite:

The ICC is not as such against the BCCI honouring Azhar as a former captain. I don8217;t think anyone said that Azharuddin should not be felicitated. I have been invited for the function to unveil the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai on Nov 4, and so are other dignitaries, even president Percy Sonn has been extended an invitation. It is a great idea. I don8217;t think we do enough to honour our former heroes. But it is also well known that the ICC has a zero tolerance for corruption. I don8217;t want to comment on sharing the table with Azharuddin. It is a matter of policy and protocol of the ICC and we will see how it works out.

On Ata-ur-Rahman8217;s life-ban:

Ata-ur-Rahman, the Pakistani player, who was banned for life applied to the ICC to reverse it. I considered that, went through his submission and wasn8217;t able to reverse the ban. I have forwarded it to the Code of Conduct Commission and its report is awaited. There is a process, and let8217;s follow it.

On double standards in corruption:

It would be a grave mistake to talk of Azhar8217;s case and that of others in the same breath. Shane Warne was fined in 1995 and Herschelle Gibbs in 2000 was charged by the UCB, fined and suspended for six months. He had agreed to under-performing, but did not actually do it. The BCCI too had its actions in place. They placed a life ban on Azhar and there were others with a five-year ban. It was proved that Azharuddin had fixed matches. So we have to be careful to make comparisons.