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25/11/2004
England's controversial cricket tour to Zimbabwe goes ahead
England's one-day cricket tour to Zimbabwe will go ahead after Harare relented and said it would give accreditation to journalists.
English Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that the 13 banned journalists – from organisations like The Sun, The Daily Telegraph, The Times and the BBC – will be allowed to cover the tour.
David Morgan, ECB Chairman, and Mike Soper, Deputy Chairman, this morning attended a meeting at Zimbabwe Cricket with Peter Chingoka and other officers of the Board.
They were informed that the Zimbabwe authorities have agreed to give accreditation to the 13 British journalists.
The first one-day international in the five-match series had been due to take place in Harare tomorrow but is now likely to be rescheduled.
David Morgan said: “The whole incident has been regrettable but it has now been resolved. We probably will not be able to play tomorrow but we are working on rescheduling the matches.”
The International Cricket Council has welcomed the Zimbabwe government’s reversal of its initial decision and praised David Morgan for his work in ensuring the tour can still go ahead.
ICC President Ehsan Mani said: “The non-accreditation of these cricket journalists by the Zimbabwe government was a very serious issue and the ICC welcomes the reversal of this original decision."
Under the ICC's Future Tours Programme, tours can only be cancelled on the advice of a government or because of overriding security and safety worries.
The ECB said it could have faced a $2 million ICC fine and suspension from the international game if it pulled out for any other reason.
Yesterday, Foreign Office Minister Dennis MacShane summoned Zimbabwean officials to express his "deep concern" at the Mugabe-led government's decision to ban British journalists from the country during this winter's England cricket tour.
Dennis MacShane, himself a former BBC sports journalist and ex-president of the NUJ, confirmed today that he had summoned the Zimbabwean Charge d'Affaires to protest at their "reprehensible step".
Travelling supporters and media have been urged "carefully observe" the Foreign Office's travel advice for Zimbabwe.
(gmcg/sp)
English Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that the 13 banned journalists – from organisations like The Sun, The Daily Telegraph, The Times and the BBC – will be allowed to cover the tour.
David Morgan, ECB Chairman, and Mike Soper, Deputy Chairman, this morning attended a meeting at Zimbabwe Cricket with Peter Chingoka and other officers of the Board.
They were informed that the Zimbabwe authorities have agreed to give accreditation to the 13 British journalists.
The first one-day international in the five-match series had been due to take place in Harare tomorrow but is now likely to be rescheduled.
David Morgan said: “The whole incident has been regrettable but it has now been resolved. We probably will not be able to play tomorrow but we are working on rescheduling the matches.”
The International Cricket Council has welcomed the Zimbabwe government’s reversal of its initial decision and praised David Morgan for his work in ensuring the tour can still go ahead.
ICC President Ehsan Mani said: “The non-accreditation of these cricket journalists by the Zimbabwe government was a very serious issue and the ICC welcomes the reversal of this original decision."
Under the ICC's Future Tours Programme, tours can only be cancelled on the advice of a government or because of overriding security and safety worries.
The ECB said it could have faced a $2 million ICC fine and suspension from the international game if it pulled out for any other reason.
Yesterday, Foreign Office Minister Dennis MacShane summoned Zimbabwean officials to express his "deep concern" at the Mugabe-led government's decision to ban British journalists from the country during this winter's England cricket tour.
Dennis MacShane, himself a former BBC sports journalist and ex-president of the NUJ, confirmed today that he had summoned the Zimbabwean Charge d'Affaires to protest at their "reprehensible step".
Travelling supporters and media have been urged "carefully observe" the Foreign Office's travel advice for Zimbabwe.
(gmcg/sp)
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