Players' representative hits out at ICC

Tim May: 'Surprised and disappointed with the ICC's lack of urgency' © Getty Images

The Federation of International Cricketers Association (FICA) has hit out at the ICC for late and non-payment of players from events such as the Super Series. FICA was established in 1998 to co-ordinate the activities of all national associations which protect the interests of players throughout the world.

In recent times it has become increasingly concerned about the frequency of players not being paid what they are owed. In a press release it said it was considering its future dealings with the ICC and governing bodies that have a history of non or late payment. It is discussing taking greater control of the commercial revenues that stem from the use of the players, together with new payment structures and penalties for when players go unpaid.

FICA has recently been involved in discussions with the ICC in regard to several instances of non and late payments. They include match fees for World XI players from the Super Series, staged in Australia during October, licensing fees for World XI players, and mobile phone royalties and computer game royalties dating back to February 2005. FICA say these payments have been outstanding for between six weeks and 12 months, while some are still unpaid.

Tim May, the chief executive of FICA, said: "In attempting to address these issues with ICC, I have been surprised and disappointed with the ICC's lack of urgency, lack of understanding and conflicting understandings of the issues and the level of priority that they have given to these issues.

"Whilst understanding that some taxation rulings may have delayed payment of some of the Super Series payments, it is inexcusable that no explanation was provided to players so as to explain why player match fees and license fees were at least six weeks overdue".

It took the intervention of FICA to trigger communication between the ICC and the players involved, leading to the eventual full payment of money owed from the Super Series. However, May added: "The ICC's performance in these instances has been a poor relations exercise with the players and they have failed to live up to the 'best practice' motto they espouse.

"It has eroded a significant amount of confidence from within the player group as to the ability of the game's governors to respect and honour its obligations to its international cricketers".