News Desk |
The airspace at Old Trafford stadium declared a ‘no flying zone’ after the Board of Control of Cricket in India urged the International Cricket Council to close the airspace ahead of its match against New Zealand on Tuesday, 9th July, 2019.
India expressed its concerns to ICC on multiple political slogans displayed by private jets and demanded clarity over the process put in place to avoid the political slogan fiasco in Manchester.
World Cup Managing Director Steve Elworthy promised to provide best possible security to the Indian Cricket Team ahead of semi-final.
In a letter to BCCI, Steve Elworthy wrote, “Jill McCracken (Cricket World Cup Security Director) is meeting with the Police Gold Commander for Old Trafford on Monday, to establish his view on whether or not he is minded to prevent flights entering the airspace above Old Trafford. We will make representations in the strongest possible terms that the match is protected.”
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“Please be aware that it was this Commander who prevented the fly over at the India vs Pakistan fixture and his team at yesterday’s match between Australia and South Africa, indicated they would be supportive of a similar approach.’
“I am also in contact with the Government Minister of Aviation on this matter and she has already been in contact with the Civil Aviation Authority and will be contacting the Department for Transport tomorrow. I am expecting further information on this in due course. I will of course update you post these discussions and any subsequent actions taken or required.”
“Just as brief background, the CWC19 security team had been assured by the West Yorkshire Police that (WYP) there would be no further incidents of flyovers at Headingley Stadium after what happened there during the Pakistan vs Afghanistan match.”
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The Indian cricket board chief Rahul Johri had demanded an explanation from the ICC over the protection of its players. In more than one match, private planes were spotted flying across the ground displaying political slogans on the banner.
A plane carrying a banner with the message “India stop Mob Lynching” and “Justice for Kashmir” crossed Headingley ground during the India-Sri Lanka match. Earlier, an aircraft flew with the banner “Justice for Balochistan” during the game between Afghanistan and Pakistan.