Government ponders Zimbabwe ban

By James Pearce BBC sports news correspondent The two sides last met at the 2007 World Twenty20 in South Africa The British government is considering banning all Zimbabwean sports people from competing in the United Kingdom. The BBC's Inside Sport programme has learned that this is one option being discussed to prevent Zimbabwe's cricket team touring England next year. Cricket chiefs have warned that England could lose the rights to host the 2009 World Twenty20 if Zimbabwe are banned. A likely compromise would be for the government to stop Zimbabwe cricketers from coming to the UK next summer. Inside Sport: Zimbabwe ban being considered But Downing Street sources say Prime Minister Gordon Brown is determined to take a tough stance against Robert Mugabe. Denying visas to all Zimbabwe sports people would be a highly controversial decison. For example, Cara Black could not defend her Wimbledon women's doubles title, Olympic swimming champion Kirsty Coventry would not be able to enter the UK and golfer Nick Price would be unable to play in the Open. 606: DEBATE For some reason beyond comprehension the ICC feels Zimbabwe is an important member of cricket's family BBC Sport's Oliver Brett Manchester City striker Benjani would also be affected by any blanket ban. There could also be a knock-on effect for England's World Cup bid for 2018 and for Zimbabwe's competitors at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014. There would be no issue with the 2012 Olympics, as the government has already had to sign the host city contract that guarantees entry into the country for anybody with International Olympic Committee (IOC) accreditation. A solution would be to stop only Zimbabwe's cricketers from coming to the UK although this would not please the sport's governing body, the International Cricket Council. Alternatively, the government could stop the tour but allow Zimbabwe to compete at the ICC World Twenty20 later in 2009. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has refused to ban Zimbabwe despite numerous protests during matches involving the country and a source told the BBC there was no chance of it changing its mind. It's great to see that Gordon Brown is taking a much stronger stance than his predecessor Former Zimbawe cricketer Henry Olonga Tony Blair's government stopped short of banning England's cricketers from touring Zimbabwe, although authorities in Australia and New Zealand have done so with their sides. Former Zimbabwean cricketer Henry Olonga welcomed the renewed attention given to the issue. He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "It's great to see that Gordon Brown is taking a much stronger stance than his predecessor. "Zimbabwe's in a desperate position, 100,000% inflation, there's poverty across the whole country, so it's a deperate, desperate situation." The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is trying to reach a financial compromise with Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) to call off next summer's two Test matches and three one-day internationals. But the ECB does not yet seem to be close to any deal. Speaking in Hamilton ahead of the first Test on Tuesday, England captain Michael Vaughan said: "We're here playing New Zealand and we're completely committed to playing this series. "I haven't heard anything about Zimbabwe and we're focused on this series but if it does come up in the next few weeks we'll have a better answer for you." The government will want to wait until after the elections in Zimbabwe at the end of March before making a decision.

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I would guess there is a precedent though, with the South Africans.

Nah, not going to happen...

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Can't.

Can they?

No.  I'm sure of it.

Fairly.

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Club slam BBC over Benjani claims

04/03/2008 11:30

http://www.petitiononline.com/savesven/petition.html