Should the Test and full ODI status of countries refusing to play in Champions Trophy be suspended?

Question

If countries refuse to play in this years ICC Champions Trophy have their Test status, and full ODI status suspended?

Several countries are threatening to pull out of the tournament due to security issues. This is despite the assurances being given by the Pakistani authorities.

Bearing in mind that westerners are a potential target for attacks, there are genuine concerns over safety.

If countries pull out because they believe that their players could be attacked, and they are unhappy with the security arrangements, should any penalty be imposed on them for failing to compete?

And should that penalty be more than a fine, but a revocation of their standing at the top of international cricket?

What are your thoughts?

And on a lighter note, who is your favourite character from a soap opera?

Answer 1

No. An agreement had already been reached that no player or team would be penalised for withdrawing. Doing so in the face of threatened terrorism would be nothing short of a return to Hitler's days.

Sorry mate, don't watch soaps.

Answer 2

There are only 10 cricketing nations so there is not question of suspension.  I think such nations should be levied heavy penalties.

Answer 3

LOL security concerns!!!!

ok consider ICC shifted the  the event to Australia, kiwis and SA and rest of the world ar eflying by airplane and boooommm, the plane crashed (iam considering kansas airways and dont forget former SA captain who died in aplane crash, its a possibility!!!)

now who think they cant die in australia or england or africa?

Answer 4

That seems a drastic measure. Then who will be left to play cricket in the post Champions Trophy world? I don't think this is feasible at all.

The other users before me have explained why this should not be done, so I will just keep this response short and to the point, which is, that the measures you suggested are not plausible solutions and that I do not support it.

Answer 5

No they shouldn't be suspended or have anything revoked or be fined in any way as they have legitimate concerns over going to a volatile county. It's not the fault of the players and teams and they shouldn't be punished for refusing to go there. It's the fault of the ICC for scheduling it there in the first place (and even if they did schedule it years ago, they've had years to change the venue) and the fault of the authorities in Pakistan who have a problem with terrorism.

In one way by giving teams a penalty of any kind in this instance you'd basically be forcing them to take part for fear of being punished if they don't, that would be insane, especially when some obviously fear for their life out there. And I'm not sure how Pakistan can make such assurances of protecting players when they can't protect their own people and bombs are still going off on a regular basis.

Not only that, but wouldn't suspending teams and taking away their status (etc) just strengthen the reasons for splitting up world cricket. Especially as the teams who don't want to go are England, Australia, NZ and SA (and I think the Windies) and the teams who do want to take part are Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.

I feel sorry for the Pakistani people and players actually as having such a major sporting event in their country would have been good for the continual growth of cricket there and for the economy as a whole. But nothing should be compromised for the safety and the well-being of people (whether they be cricketers or fans) and their safety should always be placed above the politics of sport and the politics of Pakistan, so I fully support the teams/players/fans who don't want to go.

Favourite soap character: Hmmm I actually hate soaps, they're rubbish. But I occasionally watch Emmerdale so I'll say Matthew King. He's funny and sarcastic and doesn't take c**p from anyone.

Answer 6

Give me a break! What reason could you possibly find for that sort of action.Those players are genuinely afraid for their lives & have every right to refuse to tour Pakistan. How do you penalise a team for putting commonsense before a sport.

Answer 7

Even though i feel that penalties or a punishment of some sort should be put in place,I don't think it would help, it would just cause more issues and controversy. The champions trophy isn't some cash-free organised tournament, there's a lot of money going into it, people need to understand that. Why else do you think the tournament is so important, it also holds some history it's been held since 1998 and is second in importance only to the Cricket World Cup.

If players just boycott the tournament, taking their word over the ICC's over safety concerns, we're going to see some MORE changes in the world of cricket, money is everything when it comes to sport e.g. Soccer, money makes the changes, IPL and T20 showed that quite clearly.

More respect should go towards Asian countries like Pakistan. if you feel unsafe to go, then don't go. But people and players are talking about Pakistan like it's a place of instant death. Which can be taken quite offensively by Pakastanis and overall Asian countries. The constant boycotting of tours held in Asian countries is starting to be higlighted.

So, if the players feel unsafe, then they shouldn't go. But have some respect when talking about Pakistan. The media is one of the biggest ways of communicating, right now Pakistan looks like it's the worst country in the world, and i know that it's probably not.

Penalties shouldn't be enforced beause it will cause more problems, but there will be consequences over this.

Answer 8

NO! In all this, we forget that cricketers and other sportspersons are people too. Pakistan is a country that is experiencing a momentary stretch of political chaos. I feel sorry for them, and I hope that things can become normal there very soon... but right now, nearly the entire world recognizes Pakistan as a problem spot, and cricketers, as human beings, have the right to refuse to go somewhere where they feel in danger.

As for your second one, no clue. I HATE soap operas! :-)

Answer 9

Players have genuine security concerns in Pakistan. A two time Prime Minister, Benazir, was shot at like a bird and was killed - without even having a feeling that she was a lady and a lady could not be harmed. They tried to kill a serving President, Musharraf, not once but twice. They tried to kill their serving Prime Minister, Shaukat Aziz. Yesterday, a hospital was bombed. War-like situation appears to be there all over.

Pakistan has very very serious security issues. USA appears to be h**l bent on dividing Pakistan into 2 or 3 countries for their own benefit and control and are said to be on the verge of attacking the country.

If players are not mentally comfortable, how can they play and perform ? You can't wrong a team for refusing to play in such circumstances. It is ideal to shift the venue to some other place. Why not Dubai or Sharjah or Abu Dhabi ?

Answer 10

sure, by all means ban them if they dont want to go, even australia who dont want to go, then you can explain to England why they will miss out of the revune generated by an Ashes series, not to mention the historic value of the series, and explain to other nations why they miss out on the money generated by bringing a major team like Australia or England (they're considering pulling out to) to they're country, you explain to them why the miss out on that money that they can put into the game at the lower levels to build the game

seriously, why would you give players the choice of "play and risk the chance of being killed in an un-safe country" or "dont play and be banned"

lets face it, this isnt about cricket anymore, this is about safety, now as much as i love the game, it is just a game, it aint worth risking your life for it

Answer 11

Those all are not going mad. they should give some kind of punishment

Answer 12

I think this whole situation is really unfortunate & the ICC seems clueless in finding a solution, they've just left it on time. Funny isnt it!

As I have pointed this in my previous question also that these circumstances are really creating tension among the cricketing nations & a split up seems the worst outcome possible which will be almost certain if the countries refusing to play are taken action agaisnt them especially an extreme step like "suspension".

I really have no answer to what they can do but strripping the ODI/Test status will certainly not be encouraged & what I see is that ICC might just take a safe way out & nothing will be done.

Either they'll orgainse the tournament there with all whats left or change the venue. I don't think ICC can ever be bolder.

Answer 13

Dear Oracle,

Frankly, much that I would want Champions trophy to remain in Pakistan, I now think it is okay if teams do not wish to participate. Their concerns are understandable.

I am a bit worried about post Musharraf Pakistan..I mean the immediate aftermath.

I think, no action should be taken against teams who choose not to participate.

There is some truth in Vssarmas statements (about USA), but, I wouldn't want to get into politics here ! (EDIT: However, all the subcontinental nations have terrorism problem, so Mr Vsssarma, you would need to acknowledge that, otherwise, people will remind you of the old adage that "people living in glass houses  during Indira Gandhi's time are now found throwing stones"...However, I am not a keeper of opinions here..so anyone is free to voice them)!

Frankly, the members here who actually live in Pakistan currently might be able to give a better idea. The media reports however suggest a rapidly deteriorating situation.

Your question:

And on a lighter note, who is your favourite character from a soap opera?

Answer; I don't see soaps at all, but, I occasionally come here so I would say (on a lighter note) some of the members of this section.

Rehman of Multan