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Speed denies 'climb down'

By Our Special Correspondent

MUMBAI AUG. 22. Malcolm Speed, chief executive officer of the International Cricket Council (ICC) denied any `climb down' by the world cricket body with reference to the ICC Champions Trophy controversy over players' endorsement contracts. "I don't accept talk of a climb down by the ICC on the issue of conditions for teams' participation in the ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka.

The ICC stand has been misreported. The position with the boards is clear. There might be changes, depending on the feedback from the players, about changes in ICC policy for the 2003 World Cup, but there is no change for the ICC Champions Trophy," he said, when speaking to the media on Wednesday night.

The ICC official, in the city on a three-day visit to meet world body sponsors, did not elaborate on the changes expected in the ICC contract which the players are expected to sign to become eligible to take part in the Sri Lanka event next month, saying that the next course of action would depend on the players response.

The Indian cricket team, now involved in a Test series in England, has refused to sign the contract which denies them permission to endorse companies whose products or brands are in conflict with the world body's official sponsors.

Mr. Speed described the Indian players' approach as `stubborn' and praised the Board of Control for Cricket in India's efforts to resolve the issue. Asked about changes, if any, in the ICC line of thinking, about stringent conditions imposed on players' endorsements with a view to protecting official sponsors' interests, in view of protests by players in a few participant countries, he refused to say anything specific on the issue.

"The contracts for the World Cup will be send to the respective boards by October 2002," the ICC official informed.

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