Third of players have experienced payment problems, FICA survey reveals

The 34% figure was revealed in a statement given by FICA executive chairman Tony Irish following the postponement of the Euro T20 Slam, which was due to begin at the end of August

More than a third of professional cricketers have experienced late payment or the non-payment of a playing contract, according to a survey carried out by the Federation of International Cricketers Association.

The figure was revealed in a statement given by FICA executive chairman Tony Irish following the postponement of the Euro T20 Slam, which was due to begin at the end of August.

The news of the yearlong delay of the inaugural edition of the tournament, which was to be co-hosted by Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands, came as a shock to players, several of whom had foregone the chance of participating in the overlapping Caribbean Premier League in favour of the European competition.

“In FICA’s 2018/19 global player surveys of almost 400 current men’s and women’s professional players from across FICA affiliated countries, more than 34% of players said they had experienced late payment or non-payment under a cricket contract,” the statement declared.

“Sadly, examples of breach of contract and non-payment of players are becoming more prevalent in the game around the world. This should not be allowed to develop into an acceptable practice in any area of the cricket industry.”

Before the news of the Euro T20 Slam’s temporary hold-up was revealed, Canada’s Global T20 – a tournament organised by the same consortium as that behind the Slam – had experienced its own issues.

The latter stages of the Canada-based league were shrouded in controversy, with the game between Montreal Tigers and Toronto Nationals initially delayed after both teams refused to board their team buses in an apparent protest against unpaid wages.

“Some players had foregone other opportunities to commit to the league, and we also believe the league has an obligation to players to demonstrate some goodwill given the expectation created, especially if there is a genuine plan to go ahead with the event in the future,” FICA said in reference to the Euro T20 Slam.

“Cricket regulates players globally in a number of areas and players are subject to numerous onerous global codes and regulations. Many of these play an important role for the sport. However, the players also play a critical role for the sport globally, and it’s time for enforceable protections to be put in place for players too.

“They should not be left to exercise leverage or litigate in various part of the world to enforce basic contractual rights, especially when they’ve delivered the value that they’ve been contracted for. Like employees in all other industries, players make life decisions based on what is owed to them.”

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