Coming down heavily on the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the BCCI-influenced ban on players playing the Indian Cricket League (ICL), Tim May, chief executive of the international players association FICA, assured that his body would “do whatever possible to get the bans lifted off the players”.

In Panchkula to assess the viability of ICL, May said: “We at FICA are really concerned about the future of ICL players. We will look into the matter and consult legal advisors whether the restrictions put on cricketers are lawful or unlawful. The player’s future looks bleak if they face a ban. How can the BCCI take a decision on behalf of other national boards?”

So far the players’ appeals have fallen on deaf ears but May thinks if the ICL has rules and regulations in place, it cannot be termed illegal. “If the restrictions are not considered justified by our lawyers, certainly the matter can go to the court,” May told The Indian Express.

However, May did add that a strong players’ body in India may have given teeth to the cricketers and not left them at the administrators’ mercy.

“I am amazed that India controls a major chunk of revenue but there is no players’ body. They need to come on a common platform to safeguard their interests,” he said.

“I am going to meet the ICC’s chief executive next week and will discuss the matter seriously and provide justice to the players playing the ICL,” he said.