JUST IN: India could lose hosting rights of Champions Trophy 2021

India could lose rights to hosting the 2021 Champions Trophy due to a lack of tax exemptions from the Indian government.

This comes as a huge blow for BCCI and the Indian fans who were looking forward to witnessing another ICC tournament in India.

A final decision though has not been taken yet as the ICC and BCCI are still in dialogue, trying to find a solution with India’s government.

Meanwhile, the ICC are looking for alternative host countries(in a similar time zone) so that everything with respect to the 2021 Champions Trophy goes according to plan.

“In other matters, the Board expressed their concern around the absence of a tax exemption from the Indian Government for ICC events held in India despite ongoing efforts from both the ICC and BCCI to secure the exemption which is standard practice for major sporting events around the world,

“The Board agreed that ICC management, supported by the BCCI will continue the dialogue with the Indian Government but in the meantime directed ICC management to explore alternative host countries in a similar time zone for the ICC Champions Trophy 2021.”  said the ICC.

The ICC also announced increased funds for Afghanistan and Ireland both of whom had been given Full Member status in June 2017.

“ICC Board agreed a revised financial model incorporating increased allocations for Ireland and Afghanistan as the newest Full Members of the ICC. The new model will see Ireland and Afghanistan each receiving a percentage of the projected surplus, amounting under current projections to approximately USD 40m each over the course of the current eight year commercial rights cycle.” ICC concluded.