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Clive Lloyd and ICC react
By Marlon Fernandopulle
ICC match referee Clive Lloyd and General Manager Corporate Affairs Brendan McClements have reacted to last weeks The Sunday Times sports lead story titled 'When Hussain threatened match referee Clive Lloyd'.In a telephone conversation with the writer last Sunday at his request, Lloyd expressed his disappointment with the article and vowed to report the matter to the ICC and also take it up with his lawyers.

We worked him well, but said we stood by our story which was all about former England captain threatening to take Lloyd himself to the cleaners if he tried to mess about with him (Hussein) over an on-field incident with Murali, shortly thereafter, the ICC General Manager Corporate Affairs Brendan McClements e mailed a letter to the writer on Wednesday on the same article. The letter, edited for space is as follows.
I have been made aware of an article that has appeared in a Sri Lankan newspaper which I understand has been authored by you. I have attached a copy of this article below for your reference.

Your article makes a number of references to the ICC Code of Conduct and yet displays an ignorance of some of its most fundamental components. It is inaccurate in relation to the required participants in a Code of Conduct hearing and misleading in terms of Clive Lloyd's response to the hearing. In making your argument you seem to have completely ignored Clive_s very public comments. You should be aware that after the hearing he said:

“I am very disappointed at the behaviour of the players. As of tomorrow, anyone contravening the Code of Conduct will be dealt with very harshly indeed. These are professional players, they must show professional integrity. And as an ex-captain, I would have expected Hussein to show the right sort of guidance. At the moment I have had to exonerate him of the charge”.

Although not an official reprimand (as that is not an option where a player has not breached the Code) it is of some surprise that there is no reference to these comments in your article. I would also like to inform you of the position of a match referee in relation to the Code of Conduct.

More than 12 months ago, the ICC Code was amended to ensure that the ICC Match Referee was not put in the position of being both judge and jury. The power to report rests with the umpires; the power to hear the charge and impose a penalty lies with the Match Referee. This position was repeatedly made public, published in the ICC Players Handbook and is on the ICC website. Clive does not have the power to lay a charge and, given this, was not asked at any stage to make a judgement on on-field issues relating to appeals and time-wasting that you suggest.

You also infer that there is a fear amongst match referees to use their _legitimate powers_ against players from England and Australia. This emotive language simply isn't backed up by the facts. I refer you to comments he made before the series in Sri Lanka: “I will not stand for stupid behaviour. The players must realise they are the foremost guardians of the game and they have a responsibility to play the game the way it was meant to be played”.

Marlon, your article is seriously flawed in its arguments and the presentation of the supporting facts. I believe that as it has now been published it requires action on your part to inform your readers as to the errors that have been made, particularly in relation to the inaccurate comments it makes in relation to the ICC and its employee Clive Lloyd.

Writer's comment
The crux of my article was on Nasser Hussein’s threatening reactions to match referee Clive Lloyd's inquiry on Muralitharan's complaint. Neither Lloyd nor McClements have denied one word of the incident reported in my article.
Lloyd made a clear and a strong statement before the series in Sri Lanka as mentioned in the above letter. But did he stick to his words when Hussein lashed out-at him face-to-face?

In his statement after the hearing Lloyd said ",I am very disappointed at the behaviour of players. As of tomorrow ,anyone contravening the code of conduct will be dealt with very harshly".Why had Lloyd to wait for tomorrow? He continues and says as an ex captain I would have expected Hussain to show the right sort of guidance. In other words, Lloyd admits that Hussain has not shown the right sort of guidance!

The article also deals with two other aspects. Players appealing to the umpire to use the TV replay and batsman wasting time. In both instances, it is the ICC Official Playing Regulations 2002/2003 that has been quoted. Although Lloyd does not have the power to lay a charge, it is within the match refree’s purview to give instructions to the umpire as and when he thinks it is necessary. Infact, Lloyd did this on more than one occasion during this series.

The fear of match referees to use their legitimate powers against players from Australia and England has been queried for want of facts. Ever since match referees came into the picture there have been lapses by the match referees whenever England and Australian players are involved. Here are two recent incidents.

What happened when Glen Mcgrath wagged his finger repeatedly at West Indian batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan in the centre of the pitch during the recent West Indies -Australian series!!. A few seasons back Michael Slater was involved in an argument with Indian batsman Rahul Dravid and a standing umpire during an Australia-India series. Both Australians Glen McGrath and Michael Slater escaped any sort of punishment from the respective match referees. Are these match referees fiercely independent? Oh come on Mr. McClements try playing with a straight bat, will you.

Television commentators Ravi Shastri, Sunil Gavaskar and Tony Greig who fearlessly speak out have repeatedly pointed out these incidents during their commentary and even today are the only commentators who strongly criticize the ICC for lack of fair play.

And back to the original point, Mr. McClements. Why are you dumb as to Mr. Hussein's tongue - lashing of Mr. Lloyd during inquiry? If you will permit us to para phase a bit, Mr. McClement, there are none so dumb, as those who refuse to see!

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