The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has received a threat of shifting the 2021 T20 World Cup out of the country by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after yet again failing to secure tax exemption for governing body from the Indian government.
Both the parties have been exchanging e-mails on the matter, says a report in ESPNcricinfo, with a fall out potentially resulting in termination of contract hosting right for the 2021 T20 World Cup.
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"In light of the BCCI's notification of force majeure, we would highlight the obligation on the BCCI set out in clause 20.1 a of the Host Agreement and that IBC (ICC Business Corporation) is entitled to terminate the agreement with immediate effect at any time from 18 May 2020," wrote ICC's general counsel, Jonathan Hall, to the BCCI.
A notification pointing towards force majeure has been sent to the ICC by BCCI, basically citing unforeseen circumstances arising out of COVID-19 lockdown as an obstacle to getting the exemption.
The board has requested for the deadline to be extended till June 20 or 30 days after the lockdown.
But the ICC doesn't agree to that, saying the board had all the time to get the exemption from the government since last hosting an ICC event in 2016, the previous edition of the T20 World Cup.
"In the meantime, all of IBC's rights are reserved in full including the right to challenge whether or not a valid force majeure exists," wrote Hall.
The report further states that Hall reminded BCCI of a meeting in February 2018, where the ICC Business Corporation board had granted it time till 31st December 2019 for tax solution. An extension to which had already been provided by the ICC till April 17.
However, the BCCI is now seeking another extension because of the lockdown that is currently in place.
"BCCI has been making efforts to procure a tax solution from the Government over a period of time," the board wrote. "These efforts were ongoing at the time when COVID-19 was declared a pandemic and have been interrupted by the significant restrictions imposed by the Government of India."
(Inputs from ESPNcricinfo)
