Cricket Council rejects favouritism claims after teams stranded in India after T20 World Cup
Cricket Council rejects favouritism claims after teams stranded in India after T20 World Cup
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The ICC has denied favoritism after South Africa and West Indies faced days-long travel delays leaving India, blaming Middle East airspace disruptions and stressing safety and player welfare
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has defended itself against accusations of favoritism after South Africa and West Indies squads were delayed in India for days following their exit from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, while England left the country less than two days after their semifinal loss.
The delays occurred amid widespread disruption to international air travel caused by the ongoing war in the Middle East, which has led to airspace closures and extensive flight rerouting across the region.
West Indies players reportedly remained in India after their March 1 exit, while South Africa stayed following their March 4 semifinal defeat. In contrast, England, eliminated by India on March 5, returned to the United Kingdom within two days.
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These differences sparked criticism from South African and West Indies players and officials, who questioned why England was able to leave so quickly while their teams faced prolonged delays.
In a statement on Wednesday, the ICC said the disruptions were beyond its control and driven by the broader crisis in the Middle East. “These are conditions entirely outside the ICC’s control and they have made each travel solution significantly more complex and time-consuming than under normal circumstances,” the body said.
The ICC added that it had been coordinating with airlines, charter operators, airport authorities, and government agencies to ensure safe travel for players, staff, and their families.
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According to the ICC, arrangements are now in place for both the South African and West Indies squads to return home. “On current arrangements, the South Africa contingent will begin departing for South Africa tonight, with all members expected to have departed within the next 36 hours,” the ICC said.
“Of the West Indies contingent, nine members are already travelling to the Caribbean, while the remaining 16 are booked on flights departing India within the next 24 hours. We will provide updates on further departures as confirmed arrangements are in place.”
The ICC also rejected claims that its decisions were influenced by anything other than safety, feasibility, and player welfare, calling contrary suggestions on social media “both unhelpful and incorrect.”
“There is no link between arrangements made in the cases of South Africa and the West Indies and those made previously for England or any other nation, which arose from separate circumstances, routing options and different travel conditions,” the ICC said.
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