India stands to lose hosting rights for the 2021 Champions Trophy and the 2023 World Cup if it fails to compensate the International Cricket Council (ICC) for tax deductions incurred while hosting the 2016 World T20 in India.
The Times of India reported that the ICC has asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to pay $23m before the end of the month to compensate for the tax deductions which the ICC had to bear after the tournament did not get a tax waiver from the Indian government.
Star TV, the broadcasters for all ICC tournaments, had deducted the taxed amount before paying the world body for the 2016 World T20. The ICC reportedly wants the BCCI to pay for the shortfall.
According to the report, the ICC has stated that should the Indian board fail to pay up, the amount will be deducted from India’s share of revenue from the current year.
The world body has apparently stated that it might also be forced to look at “other options” to host the 2021 Champions Trophy and the 2023 50-over World Cup.
On its part, the BCCI has asked the ICC to share the minutes of any meeting where India agreed to a tax waiver. The BCCI was led by former president N Srinivasan at the time. Interestingly, the ICC is currently headed by former BCCI chief Shashank Manohar.
According to the report, the BCCI will look at legal recourse should the ICC deduct the said amount from its share of the pie.
