England face ICC ban over Zimbabwe
WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- England could be barred from international cricket and would face a $2 million fine if they refuse to tour Zimbabwe in October on moral grounds.
International Cricket Council president Ehsan Mani said after a two-day meeting that teams were expected to meet their tour obligations.
Under a Future Tours Program Agreement, teams can withdraw from tours without sanction only due to security concerns or when directed to do so by their government.
"The powers are contained in the Future Tours Program Agreement which also provides specific conditions under which a country could withdraw from a tour without punishment, including safety and security concerns, or where a country's government provided clear direction not to tour," the ICC said in a statement.
Mani said the decisions of politicians could not drive ICC policy.
"The adoption of these new powers by the Executive Board reflects it commitment to protecting the future tours program which is the lifeblood of international and domestic cricket around the world," he said.
England refused to play in Zimbabwe during last year's Cricket World Cup.
A report by England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) member Des Wilson this year said moral issues as well as security concerns should be taken into account in deciding whether to tour the African country.
ECB chairman David Morgan said he had told the ICC that the British government had informed the board that it did not support the tour.
"I explained the very significant pressure being faced by the ECB and I made it absolutely clear that, while the ECB has not yet taken a decision, that it would have a justifiable reason for postponing the tour," said Morgan.
