IPL franchises in a fix over non-payments

 

 

Indian Premier League franchises that are facing the heat over delays in payments are refusing to respond to players' queries regarding the issue.

"There has been no communication from the franchise despite many attempts by players to get a response," said Federation of International Cricketers' Associations CEO Tim May in reference to RCB in an email to Yahoo! Cricket.

After it was found on Thursday that RCB was procrastinating over clearing their dues, Deccan Chargers were discovered to be guilty of holding back payments to contracted players, including some Indian players - most of whom have allegedly received just 15 per cent of their due.

When contacted on Saturday, Public Relations representatives from either franchise said there was no official word yet on the matter.

Although the IPL doesn't recognize FICA, May said the body will "nonetheless represent players positions to IPL, but typically Sundar Raman (IPL CEO) refuses to respond - nonetheless we believe it important to state our case and concerns".

Indian associations are not allianced with the FICA, a body that protects players' interests and whose members includes associations from Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the West Indies and Bangladesh. "(We are) trying to get accurate details of the number of players affected and their relative amounts at the moment," May added.

These trends indicate that cash-rich Twenty20 leagues that have mushroomed around the globe may not be as flush with funds as earlier suspected.

The UB Group-owned RCB has reportedly held back payments except to Indian players and Chris Gayle, who inhabits a category of his own.

South African players appear to be the most affected. Five of them - including A.B de Villiers (RCB), Dale Steyn (DC), JP Duminy (DC) and Juan Theron (DC) - have not yet received their salaries.

Concerned over the impediment in disbursal of funds, South Africa Cricketers' Association chief Tony Irish told a website that they were doing their best to ascertain just what was required to get things on track.

"We are in the process of collecting more information but at this stage not sure what process needs to be followed," he said.

Although the IPL far surpasses other Twenty20 leagues in its scale and enormity, these recent instances point to a gross lack of professionalism.

Of all the franchises, only Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians are believed to have their financial affairs in ship shape, at least so far as player payments are concerned.

Sub-continental leagues largely function in a morass of financial murkiness. Bangladesh Premier League is already engaged in a dirty slanging match with the FICA over payment issues for the 2012 season.

Possibly to close out loopholes of deception, the latest league to join the fray - the Sri Lankan Premier League  - has introduced a bank guarantees clause in contracts.