The dispute between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and a number of leading players over commercial contracts has escalated, with the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) warning that the disagreement might jeopardise the ICC Champions Trophy and the 2003 World Cup. The ICC has demanded that all players must sign a contract preventing them endorsing products which clash with the official tournament sponsors. But leading player associations have advised their members against signing the contract, maintaining that it conflicts with the players' own personal sponsorship arrangements.

"It isn't about a money grab, it's about a fundamental principle," explained Tim May, chief executive of the ACA. "A player is not being allowed to endorse any product or service where that product or service conflicts with that of an ICC major sponsor."

May said that it was too early to talk about a player boycott of the ICC Champions Trophy, but he warned that the existing agreements would not be signed. "It would mean a player would have to breach an existing contract and that's not only unreasonable, it's unlawful," May said. "The players want to play in the tournament - make no mistake about that - but they are very concerned about that one clause."

The ICC, however, seemingly won't budge. In a letter to all the cricket boards, Malcolm Speed, chief executive of the ICC, explained that it would not consider relaxing the conditions of the contract players are being asked to sign.

"The ICC is well aware of ambush marketing programs being developed in conflict with tournament sponsors," Speed said. "Every major sporting event provides protection to their partners and anyone else involved in elite sport would recognise that this is an essential component of being able to stage these events.

"To change the agreement in the manner sought would dramatically undermine the essential protection ICC's commercial partners are entitled to enjoy."

Speed went on to remind boards that they are obliged to send their best teams to the ICC Champions Trophy.

At present neither side seems willing to compromise. The players have existing contracts which they are unwilling to shelve, and in some instances these directly clash with tournament sponsors. Sachin Tendulkar's sponsors include car company Fiat, while rival Toyota is among the World Cup sponsors.

By the time of the World Cup the problem will be exacerbated as there are more official sponsors who are likely to be fiercely protective of their status, and players who are equally determined not to tarnish relationships which are often more rewarding than the fees they earn for playing the game itself.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd