BCCI, ICC resolve MPA differences

BCCI, ICC resolve MPA differences

MPA

MUMBAI: After all the public grandstanding came the expected resolution. World cricket's governing body and the Indian board have resolved their differences over the Members Participation Agreement (MPA).

The quid pro quo was that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) agreed to withdraw its bid for the broadcast rights for ICC Events from 2007 - 2015 after "legal opinion" indicated there would be conflict of interest.

Now a new draft of the MPA will be sent to all ICC member countries.

A statement issued the International Cricket Council (ICC) after its two-day meeting over the weekend said: "The (ICC) board achieved a successful resolution of the outstanding issues involving the MPA with the BCCI."

The BCCI's objection prior to the discussions was that the MPA in its earlier form affected its commercial interests. Following the compromise deal, BCCI officials say that their sponsors have been protected.

Now though there will not be a conflict between an ICC sponsor and a BCCI one like Nike. In addition countries like India and Australia can keep hosting triangular events and also events involving four teams. The MPA in its earlier form had not allowed this.

It may be recalled that a month back ICC president Percy Sonn talked tough warning the Indian cricket board that it "could not continue as one of the joint hosts of the 2011 World Cup" if it refused to play ball.

The never at a loss for words BCCI vice-president Lalit Modi had fired back then that without India, the ICC's revenues would be drastically affected.

After a churlish and often childish back and forth between ICC chief Malcolm Speed and the irrepressible Modi over the last few weeks, bridges have been mended and now the crickets global administrator can go ahead with its rights process tender.