FICA Opposes MCC proposal

FICA Opposes MCC proposal for Lie Detector Tests

20 July 2011

Tim May, Chief Executive of the Federation of International Cricketers Associations (FICA) has clarified FICA's positioning regarding MCC's proposal to encourage players to take lie detector tests in an effort to fight corruption within the game.

May stated "It is FICA's strong position that the use of lie detectors as a means of determining the guilt or innocence of a player in matters relating to corruption on any practice for that matter is to be rejected outright.

"I commend MCC and Steve Waugh for trying to be proactive in the fight against corruption, but lie detector tests are far from foolproof and not permissible as a means of determining peoples guilt or innocence in the courts of the majority if not all cricketing territories.

"It is therefore totally unacceptable that players should be put under pressure to submit to testing that is far from foolproof. To publicly request players to make "some stand" against corruption, by submitting to this "imperfect" testing is irresponsible and FICA will oppose such actions in the strongest possible manner.

"The testing is far from foolproof - that's why its not allowed to convict people in a court of law.

"It's a no win situation for the players - they quite rightly should decline to submit to one - the testing is not foolproof., the players are not under suspicion for any corruption offence but now with the MCC publicly encouraging them to submit to one, if the player refuses, it looks like he is hiding something.

FICA is committed to rid the game of corruption, but it will not stand by and have players subjected to a testing technique that has the propensity to churn out incorrect conclusions.

Penalties applied to breaches of the ICC Anti Corruption Code are significant - we will not allow fallible testing techniques convict an innocent player of corruption practices just because he was shown to have high stress levels in testing.

May confirmed that he has written to the MCC to address this matter in a responsible manner


-Ends-
Tim May - FICA Chief Executive
Phone: +1 512 944 9139
Email: tbamay@gmail.com

Notes to Editors

The Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA) was established in 1998 to co-ordinate the activities of all national players' associations which protect the interests of professional cricketers throughout the world. It brings together all of the world's cricketers, regardless of nationality, religion, political persuasion or race, under an international body focuses on matters of general interest to the game and its players.

Its member associations include - Australian Cricketers' Association, Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh, New Zealand Cricket Players' Association, Professional Cricketers' Association (UK), South African Cricketers' Association, Sri Lankan Cricketers' Association, West Indies Players' Association