ICC Disputes Resolution Committee decides on sponsorship dispute involving Cricket Australia

The ICC's Disputes Resolution Committee has ruled in favour of the game's governing body in a sponsorship dispute involving Cricket Australia.

The Committee, made up of the Honourable Michael Beloff QC (Chairman), the Honourable Justice Albie Sachs and Oliver Stocken, was appointed to resolve an issue concerning the forthcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2007.

Cricket Australia wished to appoint Travelex Payments Limited (TPL) as its team sponsor for the tournament but the ICC was unable to approve it as TPL conflicted with event sponsors VISA and Scotiabank.

The event sponsors had been appointed by the ICC's media rights partner, the Global Cricket Corporation (GCC) which is owned by News International Limited, and had been notified to all teams in June 2006.

Cricket Australia asked for the matter to be referred to the Disputes Resolution Committee, which carefully considered all the contracts and correspondence and found that the ICC's refusal to approve TPL in order to protect the interests of GCC and/or the official event sponsors was correct in all the circumstances.

In accordance with the ICC Disputes Resolution Committee terms of reference, decisions of the Committee are final and binding.

Commenting on the finding, ICC Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Speed said: "The ICC is extremely pleased that this matter has been resolved ahead of the forthcoming ICC Cricket World Cup.

"The decision of the Disputes Resolution Committee creates an important precedent for future ICC events and, going forward, it will ensure that the position is clear for all stakeholders."

The ICC Disputes Resolution Committee's terms of reference can be found at: https://www.icc-cricket.com/icc/rules/disputes-resolution-committee.pdf