(Reuters) – The Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) announced on Wednesday that they have launched a new resource aimed at enhancing the professionalism of domestic cricket competitions. This move comes in response to concerns regarding contract-related problems that have left players in a vulnerable position.
FICA revealed that their examination of top men’s and women’s domestic leagues unveiled that one in four players have encountered issues such as delayed or missing payments of salaries. Additionally, there has also been resistance towards player unions in some instances.
The newly established Leagues Hub resource by FICA is designed to provide more detailed information to players, agents, and player associations. It will compile data on the status of each league, as well as any reported problems within them. The ultimate goal is to elevate the treatment of players involved in these competitions.
FICA’s Chief Executive, Tom Moffat, emphasized the positive impact of domestic leagues on cricket but acknowledged the inconsistencies in how players are treated. He described the current situation as resembling the ‘Wild West’ due to these discrepancies.
“FICA remains an advocate for the implementation of global regulations that are suitable for the purpose and promotions of accountability in the realm of domestic leagues to safeguard all parties, including players. This should encompass establishing minimum contractual standards and effective enforcement mechanisms for payments,” Moffat stated in a press release.
The Leagues Hub resource highlighted instances of late or non-payment problems reported by players from teams participating in leagues such as the Indian Premier League, Pakistan Super League, and Lanka Premier League, among others.
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
