“In some cases, failure to pay in full has been accompanied by threatening and intimidating behavior by National Governing Bodies towards player groups,” the WCA said in a statement on Wednesday.
ESPNcricinfo understands that players from five of the 20 participating teams – of which eight were Associate Members of the ICC – did not receive their dues.
“We are extremely concerned about a number of countries who have yet to pay players prize money from the men’s T20 World Cup, held in the US and the Caribbean earlier this year, and especially about a number of threats made against players who stand up for themselves and their colleagues in some cricket environments,” said WCA chief executive Tom Moffat. “We appreciate the ICC’s efforts to date in ensuring that the players involved are paid in full and we are certain that the ICC will continue to take all appropriate measures against any Councils that do not do so, and to enforce its own Terms of Participation.
“All players in our sport must receive the full benefits to which they are entitled and must have a safe environment to play, work and advocate for themselves and their colleagues off the field, through a players association if they so choose.” ”.
The statement was released after the WCA board met this week in Singapore for its annual general meeting, where it also approved the establishment of a Global Gamblers’ Plight Fund.
The fund, the WCA said, was designed to support international players in need “who are not covered by the game’s existing national support frameworks”.
JP Van Wyk, head of welfare and education at the WCA, said: “Professional athletes face unique challenges in their short careers and we know from the excellent work that many players’ associations do at a national level that personalized support structures for player welfare have supported players in their We also know that, in an increasingly global player employment market, there are notable gaps in the current system in assisting players in extreme cases of hardship.
“While this fund will operate within certain restrictions and complement national offerings, we are confident it will help current and recently retired international cricketers who are currently unsupported and vulnerable.”
The fund will be managed by “an oversight group” made up of experts and representatives of players’ associations.
Meanwhile, Heath Mills and Sana Mir were reappointed as executive chairman and independent director respectively.
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