Email Us Forum Mail Article Print Article

England to boycott Zimbabwe?

Friday, September 26 2003

England sponsors Vodafone have told the ECB they would prefer if England didn't tour Zimbabwe next winter.

Lord MacLaurin, former boss of the ECB, is now chairman of vodafone, and in a newspaper interview he said "We do not want to support a side that goes and plays in a country with the sort of regime that is reviled not just by this company but by many in the country.

"To do so would be abhorrent and would be good for the brand image neither of Vodafone nor England cricket.

"We have told the ECB that we would rather the team did not go to Zimbabwe.

"We believe in the cold light of day, and having had the experience of the World Cup, that it would be inappropriate for the tour to take place and as major sponsors we would certainly urge them to withdraw."

During the World Cup earlier this year, England withdrew from a fixture in Harare citing safety reasons, but the side were under immense political pressure amid much controversy. The points from the game were forfeit and ultimately cost England a plce in the Super Six stage of the tournament.

ECB Chief Executive Tim Lamb said the tour was under constant review, but despite Vodafone's concerns, he said "there has been no suggestion that Vodafone would pull the plug".

Meanwhile, former Zimbabwean bowler Henry Olonga, exiled from the country alongside Andy Flower after their political protest during the World Cup - they wore black armbands to 'mourn the death of democracy in Zimbabwe' - said "I think he's spot on. The situation in Zimbabwe has not improved. The common citizens are living in abject poverty.

"It would be wrong for any country to go touring in Zimbabwe at the moment.

"I don't know how much Vodafone's sponsorship is worth, but I suppose the ECB will be in a bit of a quandary now.

"The English and Australian governments - and the United States - have been very up front and vocal in their disapproval of the regime in Zimbabwe, but I think more can be done.

"Opportunities like this are absolutely perfect to illustrate how strongly those governments feel.

"Obviously the government doesn't have the jurisdiction over whether the cricket team goes or not. But at some point, they've got to streamline and be on the same page."

Chairman of the ECB's Corporate Affairs Committee, Des Wilson, said no decision would be taken until the new year.

These latest comments are bound to re-open the can of worms regarding the political situation in Zimbabwe, and the link between politics and sport.

Posted by Barrie