Startlingly similar approach from another Sporting Body.
Michael Holding slams ICC over ‘censorship’ attempt
By Matthew Taylor
2 hours ago
‘They are weak’: Holding’s umpire attack
West Indies legend Michael Holding has slammed the ICC’s attempt at “censorship” after he was rebuked for his on-air critique of umpiring standards.
Holding’s remarks about umpires Chris Gaffaney and Ruchira Palliyaguruge went viral after he labelled their officiating “atrocious” and “weak” during Australia’s clash with the West Indies.
In response, the ICC - via rights partner Sunset & Vina Asia, which produces the host broadcast coverage beamed globally - issued Holding with a stern reminder of its expectations.
As reported by The Times Of India, the email, written by Sunset & Vine Asia’s Head of Production Huw Bevan, emphasises “the importance of maintaining the highest standards and uphold the game’s best values and spirit while covering the tournament”.
It goes on to instruct Holding "not to cast doubt or negative judgment on anything associated with the tournament in our coverage.
"Inherently in live television, there are occasions when on field decisions cause reason for discussion or debate, but as ICC TV host broadcasters, our (Sunset & Vine) duty is not to judge or highlight mistakes".
But Holding did not take kindly to such instructions, firing an angry response back to Bevan in which he threatened to walk away from the tournament altogether.
"Commentators are being more and more compromised by controlling organisations to the point of censorship," he wrote.
"I do not intend to go down that road.
"If those umpires yesterday were FIFA officials, they would have been told to pack their bags and head home, not have been given another World Cup game to officiate. As a former cricketer, I think cricket should be held to a higher standard. Is the objective to protect the umpires even when they do a bad job?
“I am sorry, but I am not going to be part of that. Please let me know if I should be heading back to my home in Newmarket instead of heading to Cardiff because I don’t agree with what is being suggested here and happy not being part of it.”
Despite his threat, Holding is expected to continue his commentary duties throughout the remainder of the tournament, telling Times Of India, "As I am concerned, the matter has been resolved."