by http://SportToday.org/
Sledging
ICC calls for improved player behaviour
Cricinfo staff
March 23, 2008
India's often ill-tempered tour of Australia, during which players from
both sides were hauled up by match officials, has prompted the ICC to
formally stress on the need to avoid "***, offensive or insulting
language". A note, urging players to improve their behaviour, has been
issued by the ICC chief executive, Malcolm Speed, and its general
manager, David Richardson, to the captains of international teams, Elite
Panel umpires and Referees and CEOs of Full Members.
"Recent events and, in particular, the series between Australia and
India have highlighted the issue of 'sledging'," the note said. "We seek
your support in learning lessons from these issues and moving forward in
a positive way."
It pointed to "several controversial incidents" on the field in
international cricket which "originated from the use by players of
language or gestures which are considered ***, offensive or insulting."
The Indian board had proposed a ban on sledging when the ICC executive
committee met in Kuala Lumpur in the third week of February.
The note also asked players to be more respectful towards fellow
players, umpires and referees. "Players are asked to take their
responsibility as role models seriously and to make an effort to improve
their behaviour in this regard. Captains are requested to lead by
example and to ensure that they keep tight control over the behaviour of
their players. There is no question that international cricket must be
played with intensity and with no quarter asked nor given but within the
bounds of mutual respect and the spirit of the game."
The ICC also acknowledged that it was difficult to define what
combination of words and gestures would be construed as offensive, and
asked umpires to apply "a degree of individual interpretation and
judgement" to determine whether a player's behaviour had fallen below
acceptable standards.
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