ICC rejects Australia's request on official team sponsor

Dubai, Feb 9 (UNI) The ICC Disputes Resolution Committee has refused to allow Cricket Australia to appoint Travelex Payments Limited (TPL) as its team sponsor for next month's World Cup as it conflicted with official event sponsors VISA and Scotiabank.

The Committee, headed by Michael Beloff also comprised Justice Albie Sachs and Oliver Stocken, and was appointed after CA requested for allowing TPL as its team sponsor.

Rejecting the CA request, the ICC said the event sponsors have been appointed by its 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.

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,'' he added.

UNI