BCCI to use Members' Participation Agreement right if ICC don't reconsider proposed revenue model

The Board of Control for Cricket India, on Sunday, sent a 11-page letter to International Cricket Council Chief Executive Dave Richardson, categorically rejecting the proposed revenue model and constitutional reforms, reported PTI.

The BCCI has reminded the world body that they have the option of exercising the rights mentioned under the Members’ Participation Agreement.

While BCCI’s stand was always known, Committee of Administrators member Vikram Limaye, in his letter has pointed out that ICC should respect the MPA signed on October 12, 2014.

Their letter states: ”The proposed new ICC Constitution and financial model will, if adopted, entitle us to exercise certain rights under the MPA and also to avail remedies under applicable law”

“We trust the ICC will reconsider the proposed new ICC constitution and financial models in light of provisions of the MPA so that we do not have to consider exercising our rights and remedies in relation to the MPA, which are expressly reserved. Please communicate our stand to ICC for information and necessary action.”

The report added that BCCI can take legal recourse if ICC violates the MPA, which assures certain benefits to member nations who compete in the ICC tournaments from 2015-’23.

It is learnt that COA has already in its meeting decided that India’s interest as the financial powerhouse is non- negotiable.

However, BCCI has garnered enough support to thwart the move with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe by its side.

The original ‘Big Three’ model means that England and Australia will also get their share of the pie and shall not have any objections to earlier revenue model.

“The ICC tried to hit us when BCCI was in troubled waters. Now with Manohar, who was the biggest opponent of BCCI, gone, the ICC in any case will neither be able to pass the constitutional reforms nor the revamped financial model,” a top BCCI source was quoted as saying.

BCCI’s objection has cast a pall over the World Test Championships apart from the proposal to review full membership status of countries like Bangladesh.