The BCCI might consider the SLPL as ‘unauthorised’ cricket, but the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA) has showed its surprise at the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s decision to deny Indian players the chance of playing in the inaugural Sri Lanka Premier League.
"I am very surprised to see reports from the Indian media, that BCCI do not believe that players should sign the Player Contracts - that is certainly not the opinion of FICA or our legal advisors, and it is our charter to protect all players and to ensure that Player Contracts for Events around the world are in acceptable form to protect player interests," said FICA Chief Executive Tim May.
May also confirmed that FICA had negotiated the terms and conditions of the SLPL player contracts with Somerset Entertainment Ventures, the commercial rights' holders of the event.
"In December 2010, FICA engaged in discussions with SEV regarding the construction of the Player Contracts for the SLPL commencing July 2011. Negotiations were robust but cordial and SEV adopted a number of recommendations made by FICA which resulted in a Player Contract in a form acceptable to FICA," he revealed.
May also added that FICA didn’t have any issue recommending player participation in the SLPL. "It is an event that falls under the jurisdiction of Cricket Sri Lanka, the teams are owned and operated by Cricket Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Cricket have provided us with a letter confirming the event is an official tournament of Cricket Sri Lanka and the Event is fully sanctioned by the ICC," May concluded.
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