ECB cannot expect compensation for boycotting Zimbabwe

The England and Wales Cricket Board has been informed by the Government that it will not receive financial compensation if it follows official advice to boycott England's World Cup match in Zimbabwe.

That is the message from Tessa Jowell, the minister in the Department of Culture, Media and Sport as she meets ECB officials to discuss England's scheduled match against Zimbabwe on February 13th. The ECB would be liable to a heavy fine by the ICC if they breach the contract they signed to take part in the World Cup, and the ICC have stated that they would only be released from that contract for reasons of security.

Nevertheless, the politicians seem to have ignored this aspect of a difficult situation when calling for England to boycott the match as a protest against the policies of Zimbabwe's president, Robert Mugabe. There is also a body of opinion within the United Kingdom that has vociferously opposed the match going ahead.

The ECB claim that they would suffer losses running into millions of pounds if they break their contract with the ICC. While acknowledging the governmental misgivings about the fixture going ahead, their view is very straightforward. If the Government wants cricket to suffer financially to make a political point, it should be prepared to finance that loss.

The minister's response to that request is: "We won't. That is ruled out. There will be no compensation if they decide not to go to Zimbabwe."

Jowell added: "They were well aware of the deteriorating humanitarian and political situation in Zimbabwe when they confirmed their intention to play in Harare.

"I think it's important to be clear about the role of Government in this. The England and Wales Cricket Board were having discussions with officials as long ago as July.

"They had a meeting with the Foreign Office before they confirmed their intention to play in Harare. It is disingenuous for the England and Wales Cricket Board to suggest they were unaware of the Government's opinion."

ECB chief executive Tim Lamb, was asked if there has to be a commitment by the Government to compensate cricket for the losses incurred by pulling out of the match said: "I don't think there is any alternative."

Looking ahead to the meeting Lamb said: "We will be saying again that it is perverse that English cricket is being asked to make what is no more than a token gesture with respect to this game in Zimbabwe when no other British companies are being asked to do so. It is unjust and inequitable."

As Lamb points out, there will be no quick decision made, whatever the outcome of today's meeting. "It will be a matter for the ECB management board to decide whether it is appropriate to consider a change."