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Chelsea have placed Brentford goalkeeper David Raya onto their summer transfer shortlist, according to reports.

What's the latest on Raya to Chelsea?

The Spaniard first arrived at the Gtech Community Stadium back in July 2019, where he’s made 156 appearances to date, but he’s facing an extremely uncertain future with his contract set to expire at the end of next season.

Transfer expert Graeme Bailey has revealed that the 27-year-old wants to leave the Bees during the upcoming window having rejected multiple new offers to extend his stay, and should that be the case, he won’t be short of potential suitors in the Premier League.

Football Insider report that the Blues have already made contact with the shot-stopper’s representatives regarding a potential deal, and the conversations must have been positive as he is now being viewed as a serious target at Stamford Bridge.

According to Football.London, Chelsea have Raya as a candidate firmly “on the shortlist” for their new number one and both Todd Boehly and Mauricio Pochettino would have been "watching" him closely on Wednesday.

Boehly is reportedly set to enter the market for a first-choice between the sticks despite Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy both still having another two years to run on their contracts, and whilst the SW6 outfit have been heavily linked with a move for Inter Milan’s Andre Onana, Brentford’s talisman could prove to be an ideal alternative.

Would Raya be a good signing for Chelsea?

Chelsea will have already been able to take a good look at Raya from the numerous occasions they have played Brentford, and having kept 52 clean sheets in 156 appearances for Thomas Frank’s side, he would be a great addition to the goalkeeping department.

The World Cup participant has recorded 136 saves from 176 shots on target against this season, giving him a save percentage of 76.7%, not to mention that he isn’t afraid to come out to clear the danger, ranking in the 96th percentile for crosses stopped.

Sky Sports presenter Dan Bardell has also claimed that the £25k-per-week star is “next level” with his feet and does indeed have a strong range of passing having completed 116 of 120 short passes and 395 of 403 medium passes since the start of the current term (FBRef).

The Blues are closing in on the appointment of Pochettino, who has reportedly verbally agreed to become their new manager, so Boehly will have to run summer targets by him, and Raya is definitely a player who would make a positive impact and lead from the back should the expected new boss green-light a deal.

Chelsea have set their sights on Brentford striker Ivan Toney as a summer transfer target.

What’s the latest on Ivan Toney to Chelsea?

According to Simon Phillips, his “best source” has indicated that the Blues are seriously keen on a move for the 27-year-old and his potential betting ban is the sole reason why they've not pushed harder to secure the deal.

Writing on his Substack, he said: “I’ve been told now by multiple sources, and again this weekend by my best source, that Chelsea really want to sign Toney. The latter source in particular believes that if it wasn’t for his potential betting ban pending, then we would have tried to put a pre-deal in place for the summer already.”

This outlet follows Football London’s report, which claims that the incoming Mauricio Pochettino is keeping a close eye on the forward, as well as his teammate and goalkeeper David Raya, in what would be a sensational double swoop.

Football Insider previously stated that 2021 Championship Play-Off winners would demand a fee of £50m for their star man, but given Chelsea’s inexplicably lavish spending under their new ownership, this is unlikely to be a stumbling block.

Recently, when Bees manager Thomas Frank was asked if he’d swap Toney for Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, he jokingly replied “of course not” with a wry smile.

This would be a tricky deal for the 2021 Champions League winners to navigate given the Englishman's heroic status at his current club and that Chelsea cannot offer European football next season.

Why do Chelsea want Ivan Toney?

Since joining the west Londoners in 2020, the one-cap international has undoubtedly been the club’s most influential, productive, and integral player.

In his debut season for Frank’s side, he notched 31 goals in 45 Championship appearances and netted twice in the play-offs as Brentford secured promotion.

Then, like many regular second-tier scorers, his top-flight credentials were questioned, and he was put in the spotlight on whether he could replicate this unplayable form.

However, the “remarkable” attacker – as per his manager – has recorded 32 goals in 66 Premier League outings and is currently the division’s third-highest scorer this term, whose tally of 20 is only bettered by Harry Kane and the record-breaking Haaland.

Micah Richards has also lavished Toney with praise and is impressed with his extraordinary rise. He said: “One thing I’ve always loved seeing is how a player improves from one season to the next. Ivan Toney’s progress, then, has given me a huge thrill. Twenty League goals for Brentford?

“Wow. I don’t know why but nobody is talking about him as much as they should. Toney was superb at Liverpool, his touch and awareness were outstanding. I’d love to see him in the PFA team of the year.”

For a Chelsea team that lacks any focal point or a consistent goal-scoring threat, the former Peterborough man’s potency would be a dream for Pochettino who will be in desperate need of somehow rescuing the team's attack.

Indeed, the Londoners have only scored a goal a game in the top flight this term, meaning a player of Toney's ilk could well be game-changing.

Chris Jordan starred with 5 for 28 and teenager Phil Salt hit 81 from 76 balls as Sussex bowled out Middlesex for 191 to win by 31 runs

ECB Reporters Network12-Jun-2016
ScorecardChris Jordan’s five wickets completed Sussex’s win•Getty Images Chris Jordan starred with 5 for 28 and teenager Phil Salt hit 81 from 76 balls as Sussex bowled out Middlesex for 191 to win by 31 runs in a rain-shortened Royal London One-Day Cup South Group game at Hove.Jordan, bowling with impressive pace and firing in his toe-crushing yorkers seemingly at will, topped and tailed the Middlesex innings after Sussex had totalled 222 for 7.It was Sussex’s first win in the competition this season, at the third attempt, and Salt was joined in a third-wicket stand of 125 in 18 overs with New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor, who hit a 44-ball 54 despite finishing his innings with a runner because of a pulled hamstring.Ben Brown’s entertaining cameo of 31 not out from 13 balls pushed Sussex on to a challenging total in a match reduced to 32 overs per side, and it proved too much for Middlesex despite both Brendon McCullum and Eoin Morgan getting starts with 44 and 31 respectively.England one-day fast bowler Jordan struck twice with the new ball to bowl Dawid Malan for a duck and have Paul Stirling caught – after a juggle – by Brown behind the stumps for 4, and he later returned to pick up three tailend wickets as Sussex wrapped up the match with little fuss with eight balls remaining unbowled.Left-arm seamer George Garton and legspinner Will Beer also made important breakthroughs for Sussex after McCullum, who hit a six and six fours in his 37-ball effort, and Morgan, with five fours, threatened to mount a challenge with a third-wicket partnership of 40.Garton, 19 and in only his third List A appearance, had McCullum well held on the deep square leg boundary while Beer bowled Morgan behind his legs and then flummoxed John Simpson with a googly to have the left-hander caught by Jordan at slip.Beer’s seven overs brought him 2 for 34 and Garton later had Nick Gubbins caught behind for 37 after he and James Franklin had offered some defiant blows. Franklin’s 28 was ended when he swung Danny Briggs’s left-arm spin to deep midwicket where substitute fielder Luke Wells dived forward to take a fine catch.Play did not get under way until 2pm due to overnight and morning rain but, when it did, there was some rich entertainment for a sparse crowd well down in numbers on the 2,500 or so who would have been expected to attend on a sunny day.Chris Nash survived a difficult high chance to slip, one ball before Toby Roland-Jones nipped one back from down the Hove slope to bowl him for 11. And Sussex looked to be vulnerable when Luke Wright, after one hoicked six off Roland-Jones, was held at mid-on off the same bowler for 15 in the seventh over – the last of the initial powerplay in this reduced-overs contest.Salt and Taylor, however, grew in authority the longer they were together and also capitalised on some moments of good fortune. Salt, on 15, was beaten by a beauty from James Fuller which jagged away from his defensive bat and on 32 edged Fuller just short of first slip. Taylor, on 24, was badly missed by Fuller at deep mid wicket when he skied a pull at Franklin’s left-arm seamers.Fuller, in fact, did not lay a hand on the ball. Running in too fast from the boundary edge to position himself for the catch, he momentarily lost his footing and the slip disorientated him so much that, in the end, the ball sailed over his head and plopped to the turf as the batsmen ran two.Salt and Taylor added 125 in 18 overs, and there were some memorable strokes in the partnership which provided the meat in Sussex’s total. A reverse-sweep four by Salt off Stirling’s off spin was followed later by an extraordinary reverse flip which went high for four to the unguarded third-man ropes. The teenager also produced a superb straight-driven four off Fuller to reach his 52-ball 50, while Taylor merely upped his own tempo after calling for Nash to act as his runner when, on 26, he strained a hamstring muscle.In the 22nd over Taylor mowed Nathan Sowter’s leg spin over midwicket for six and, next ball, swept him hard for four before reaching his own 50 three overs later with a six swung off Stirling. From the next ball, however, attempting something similar, he was well held by Sowter on the deep square leg boundary.Salt soon followed, bowled by Franklin, and neither Harry Finch, Jordan nor Beer lasted long as Sussex slumped from 164 for 3 to 185 for 7. Finch, after one lovely straight four, was bowled swinging at Franklin for 8, Jordan was comically run out for 7 by the bowler after trying to swing Roland-Jones to leg, slipping over when looking for a sharp single and failing to crawl back into his crease, while Beer was leg-before to the next ball.Brown, however, hoisted Fuller for successive sixes in the final over after previously ramping Roland-Jones brilliantly for four and also earning seven runs in total for two pulls to deep square leg. In all, 30 runs came from the last two overs as Sussex, thanks to Brown, finally managed to build significantly on the Salt-Taylor stand.

Crystal Palace are likely to have Fulham boss Marco Silva on their wanted list to take over as manager at the end of the season, according to a recent report from The Daily Mail.

What's the latest Crystal Palace manager news?

According to journalist James Olley, Roy Hodgson is unlikely to have any aspirations of staying on as manager beyond the end of the season, and the Palace hierarchy have started to run the rule over potential replacements for the 75-year-old.

HLTCO host Dan Cook has mooted the idea of Arne Slot taking the reins at Selhurst Park, and it has been reported sporting director Dougie Freeman has already made contact with the Feyenoord boss.

Austrian coach Adi Hutter is reportedly desperate to take over at a Premier League club, and there are still indications that the Eagles could make a move for the former Borusssia Monchengladbach boss.

However, a new option is now emerging from closer to home, as The Daily Mail report Silva is likely to be a candidate for the Palace job at the end of the season, although there are a number of teams set to do battle for the Fulham boss.

The likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Leeds United and West Ham United are also named as potential suitors for the 45-year-old, but he is currently said to be happy in west London and is open to signing an extension.

If that situation changes, Palace know that the terms of the Portuguese coach's existing deal mean he can be released from his contract for a fee of £6m.

Should Crystal Palace appoint Marco Silva?

It would perhaps be an unusual move if the Fulham boss were to move to Selhurst Park, given that his current side have had a better season, currently eight points better off in the Premier League table.

However, if the Eagles were able to tempt the Lisbon-born manager into a move across the capital, he could be a very shrewd appointment, given the fantastic job he has done with the Cottagers since winning the Championship last season.

Fulham are well on track to finish in the top half of the Premier League, which is a fantastic achievement for a newly-promoted side, and they came close to reaching the FA cup semi-finals, before a late fightback from Manchester United.

Hailed as a "genius" by former player Tom Taylor, while also being praised by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, Silva would be a very exciting appointment for the Eagles.

Leeds United will head to the London Stadium this afternoon to continue their relegation battle in their Premier League clash with West Ham United and Sam Allardyce will be hoping his team can put up a fight in the penultimate game of the season.

The Whites are currently 18th in the top-flight table and two points deep in the relegation zone heading into their final away fixture, so picking up nothing short of all three points from the Hammers this weekend will be crucial to their survival hopes.

A 2-2 draw with Newcastle United last weekend should give the Leeds squad a boost of confidence in their capabilities to retain their Premier League status by next weekend, however, with Everton and Leicester City also battling to beat a drop down to the Championship, there is still work to be done.

As a result, Allardyce will be looking to fill his starting eleven with experienced players he can rely on to provide a positive outlook for the West Yorkshire club ahead of the final day of the season, and an opportunity for Pascal Struijk to start could present itself in east London today.

Will Pascal Struijk start against West Ham?

Leeds have been plagued with injuries throughout the season and will be without Tyler Adams, Luis Sinisterra and Stuart Dallas against the Hammers, whilst Marc Roca and Liam Cooper will be subjected to late fitness tests ahead of the clash.

Not only that, Junior Firpo will be unavailable for selection at left-back due to a one-match suspension after he picked up two yellow cards and a sending off against the Magpies at Elland Road last week, paving the way for Struijk to reprise his role on the left flank.

The versatile £50k-per-week titan – hailed "tremendous" by Tony Dorigo – has played predominantly in the left-back position this season but is also extremely experienced in the centre-back role too, giving Allardyce a player he can utilise across the defensive set-up in the final fixtures.

Over 27 league appearances, Struijk has scored two goals, registered one assist and successfully completed the majority of his dribbles (56%), as well as averaging 2.3 clearances, 2.8 tackles, 1.1 interceptions and 5.6 duels won per game, proving that he is both potent in attack and defensively sound when playing in the back four.

With that being said, it would be an absolute no-brainer for Allardyce to unleash Struijk against West Ham as not only will he replace Firpo, but the full-back could revive Leeds' season if he can provide a moment of magic away from home.

West Indies and Jamaica Tallawahs allrounder Andre Russell has made his first public comments since being charged by the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission with committing an “anti-doping whereabouts” violation earlier this year

Peter Della Penna in Florida26-Jul-2016West Indies and Jamaica Tallawahs allrounder Andre Russell has made his first public comments since being charged by the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) with committing an “anti-doping whereabouts” violation earlier this year for having allegedly missed three drug tests in a 12-month period. Three missed tests trigger a failed drug test ruling under anti-doping regulations.Preparing for Tallawahs’ final two games of the league stage of the Caribbean Premier League, in Lauderhill, Florida, Russell was asked what it had been like to play with the uncertainty of the JADCO tribunal process hanging over his head. Russell replied by describing the mental strain he has gone through since reports first surfaced in March that he was facing a two-year ban.”It’s not easy, honestly, it’s tough,” Russell said. “When I cross the rope, I definitely block it off my head but then when you go back to your room and you know you have to face reality and know that something is going on like that, it’s kind of stressing and depressing. But I have an amazing bunch of guys around me. So they keep me occupied, they keep me laughing. I just think that is a very good thing to do while going through something like that.”Everything is in place. My lawyers are doing whatever they have to do so I don’t really want to have to talk about it that much.”Russell avoided questions about last week’s independent panel hearing, offering a “no comment” when asked about the most recent events. According to , Russell’s lawyer Patrick Forster claimed at the hearing of an independent panel on July 20 that his client had received correspondence from JADCO for only twice – January to March, 2015 and July to September, 2015 – for allegedly missing the out-of-competition doping tests.In the mean time, Russell said he was focused on helping the first-place Tallawahs secure a second CPL title, after first winning it in 2013. Tallawahs round out their league stage by playing St Lucia Zouks twice, on July 30 and 31. Heading into the playoffs, a win in either game will clinch first place for Tallawahs, giving them two chances to reach the final.”This is what we live for, to be on top of the table,” Russell said. “We still have a few games to go. We’re still not going to take anything for granted. We’re going to try and play our best cricket so we can be in form going into the crucial games.”

Steve O’Keefe, the left-arm spinner, presented his case to the selectors by returning figures of 5 for 43 as Sri Lankan XI were bowled out for 229 on Day 1 of the three-day fixture at P Sara Oval

Andrew Fidel Fernando18-Jul-2016
ScorecardSteve O’Keefe has an opportunity to add to his two Test caps during the three-Test series in Sri Lanka•AFPSteve O’Keefe, the left-arm spinner, used the bounce available on the P Sara Oval surface to make a potent start to his first Test tour of Sri Lanka. He claimed wickets in batches to finish with 5 for 43 as Sri Lankan XI were bowled out for 229 on the the opening day of their three-day fixture. Meanwhile, Nathan Lyon, the offspinner, went for 72 in 13 wicketless overs.But it is unlikely that Australia will depose senior spinner Lyon given his good returns through the recent home summer. O’Keefe’s success, though, may breed confidence in a potential dual-spin attack as the team is likely to encounter pitches that are significantly drier than this surface.O’Keefe on

Nathan Lyon: Nathan’s a bit of a role model of mine, and a bit of a mentor when it comes to spin bowling. I’ve always looked up to him and his career. He’s verging on a couple of hundred Test wickets now. There’s a truckload of experience and knowledge that I’d like to get out of him. When the big occasions come up he’s always stood up to the challenge, and I expect that from him.
Muttiah Muralitharan: The beauty of Murali is that he’s always got something to say to you, which is great. He’s always got feedback. He’ll come up after each session or spell and give you hints about the field, or the way they might play. He’s been a massive help.
Sri Lankan conditions: The game changes as the ball goes from hard to soft, and the field settings are a little bit different than at home. Along with the fact that these guys will sweep a bit more and play shots we don’t typically see in Australia. You just have to adapt and think on your feet. Luckily we’ve got Steve Smith, who’s always offering advice.

Mitchell Starc and Jackson Bird took two wickets each, and Mitchell Marsh one, before Joe Burns struck an unbeaten half-century in the evening session. The visitors ended the day on 127 for the loss of Shaun Marsh for 47.For the Sri Lankan XI, Milinda Siriwardana composed a measured half-century to boost his chances of being in the Test squad, although a century may have all but sealed his berth. He shared the innings’ biggest stand of 101, for the fourth wicket, with Asela Gunaratne, who struck 58.Chaturanga de Silva was Lyon’s major tormentor in the second session, as he clubbed 10 fours on his way to a 59-ball 49. Dasun Shanaka – de Silva’s partner in a rapid seventh-wicket partnership worth 75 – fell to Steve Smith’s second exceptional slip catch of the day; Smith climbed high and fast to his right to end Shanaka’s innings at 39. The Sri Lankans attempted to attack both spinners through much of the day, but O’Keefe proved difficult to hit away.”They came out pretty aggressively, but I guess when guys do that you’ve got a chance to get wickets,” O’Keefe said after play. “It gives you confidence to come out the back end of that well. You expect it on a day one wicket that has a bit of grass and not much turn.”Smith had starred in O’Keefe’s first dismissal as well, moving towards the leg side in anticipation of Gunaratne’s fine paddle to complete a sharp take. O’Keefe had Shehan Jayasuriya caught at short midwicket in the same over and later, dismissed Shanaka, de Silva and Dilhara Fernando in quick succession, to close out the innings.The Australians seamers largely attacked the stumps, but also troubled the batsmen in short outside off-stump bursts by using the pace and seam movement on offer. Bird and Marsh had their victims caught behind the wicket, while Starc had a top-order batsman lbw, and later snuck a full delivery through the defences of a tailender.Arriving at the crease after tea, the Australian openers made quick gains against the new ball, finding the offside boundaries regularly as Nisala Tharaka – who is returning from injury – proved wayward. Left-armer Vimukthi Perera, and Dilhara Fernando were more disciplined, but neither came close to making an early breakthrough.Jayasuriya was the best of the Sri Lankan spinners, bowling Marsh for 47 after the openers had made 97 together. Burns’ half century featured five boundaries and a straight six off Siriwardana’s bowling. The visitors were 102 runs behind, with nine wickets in hand, by stumps.

Manchester City could face an even bigger task to try and hold onto Ilkay Gundogan this summer, with reports from Sport Bild (via Caught Offside) stating that Arsenal are now also keen to sign the player.

Is Ilkay Gundogan leaving Man City?

The midfielder has been excellent once more for the Premier League outfit this season, despite some uncertainty over his future. He's been a constant in Pep Guardiola's first-team squad, with the German playing in 30 games for the club so far this campaign and scoring eight goals along the way with four assists.

He's also shone in City's Champions League campaign, helping them to get to their current place in the semi-finals with one goal and two assists in eleven outings. The 32-year-old then remains an integral part of the side at the Etihad Stadium this year.

It will be worrying for Guardiola and the club's supporters then to see that the player is still yet to commit his future to them. With his contract set to expire at the end of June and no fresh terms agreed, it means that Gundogan could depart the side on a free transfer this summer. Barcelona have been the most eager to add the midfielder to their squad, with the Catalan giants determined to try and get a deal done.

City though have also made it clear that they want to keep the German in England if they can. A recent report suggests that Guardiola is desperate to try and keep Gundogan and that his side will even "double their offer" when it comes to new contract talks with the player. They've also offered him a longer deal than previously in an effort to keep him on.

However, a new report from Sport Bild (via Caught Offside) suggests that things might get a lot harder for City in their pursuit of tying Gundogan down. That's because Arsenal have now entered the race for the midfielder and could try and snap up the out-of-contract man themselves at the end of the season.

Will Man City sell Ilkay Gundogan?

City though would likely not want to sell such a crucial player to a Premier League rival, especially when you consider his stats from this campaign.

Gundogan has 2.07 shots per 90 this season, showing his ability to get forward and test the opposition keeper despite his role in the centre of the field. He likes to become an attacking option himself by roaming to the edge of the box and having a crack at goal and his shot on target percentage of 38.5% this season – one of the best of his career – show that he is getting more and more clincial to boot.

In addition, the player has been praised by those around him for his superb ability. Roy Keane labelled the midfielder as "outstanding" to Sky Sports news (via Manchester Evening News) and added that he is "brilliant" at getting into the opposition box.

City then would suffer hugely if they let him leave – and it certainly won't be easy to keep him this summer.

Arsenal officials have “monitored” Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba in recent weeks ahead of a potential move, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Who is Edmond Tapsoba?

The Burkina Faso international made the move to Germany from Vitoria Guimaraes back in 2020 and has since gone on to make 136 appearances to date, becoming a regular feature of Xabi Alonso’s first-team recording 31 starts from 33 Bundesliga games this season.

The 6 foot 4 centre-back still has another three years remaining on his contract at the BayArena, but that hasn’t stopped Edu and Mikel Arteta from wanting to bring him to the Premier League, and not for the first time.

Back in February, Rudy Galetti, reliable journalist, reported that the Gunners have followed the 24-year-old for a “long time”, and the upcoming window might finally be the opportunity that they successfully secure their target’s services.

Who is signing Tapsoba?

Taking to Twitter, Romano confirmed that Arsenal are still keeping tabs on Tapsoba ahead of the 2023/24 term. He wrote:

“Premier League clubs are now tracking Edmond Tapsoba ahead of the summer transfer window — he’s one of the CBs to keep an eye on. Arsenal and Tottenham scouts have monitored Tapsoba in recent games but the race is absolutely open — Bayer will only sell for [a] huge bid.”

Arsenal are clearly serious about signing Tapsoba having attempted to recruit him more than once, and after being dubbed as “solid as a rock” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the centre-back would be a fantastic acquisition for the outfit at the Emirates Stadium.

The Champions League participant, who pockets £37k-per-week, currently averages three clearances, 1.6 tackles and the same number of aerial wins per league game, via WhoScored, so is commanding at the heart of the backline, but is also capable of contributing to his team’s efforts at the opposite end of the pitch.

The Bayer colossus has posted four goal contributions across all competitions this season and ranks in the 96th percentile for progressive passes so is strong in playing out from the back and is constantly looking to push his side as high up the field as possible.

Whilst Tapsoba’s specific price tag remains to be seen, Arsenal will know that the only way of getting a deal over the line is by tabling a sizable offer, so the hierarchy may look to test the waters to see if an agreement can be reached this summer.

The BCCI is set to file a review petition against the Supreme Court’s verdict that approved most of the Lodha Committee’s recommendations

Arun Venugopal08-Aug-2016The BCCI is set to file a review petition against the Supreme Court’s verdict that approved most of the Lodha Committee’s recommendations. The decision to file the petition is based on the advice of former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju, who was appointed to counsel the board on the verdict related to the implementation of the committee’s recommendations. It is also learnt BCCI president Anurag Thakur and secretary Ajay Shirke will not go through with their scheduled meeting with the Lodha Committee on Tuesday after Katju advised them against it.”Our judicial review petition is pending. We will be going to file it [in the next two days]. Till the outcome is not there how can we go and attend the meeting?” a top BCCI official told ESPNcricinfo. “Justice Katju has clearly told us that you should go for the review petition. Members have also agreed [with his assessment]. We will look at the outcome of the review petition and take the necessary action.”‘Even the ICC is concerned’

The protracted legal battle that the BCCI is facing has caused concerns in the ICC, a top BCCI official said. According to him, the issue was raised during the ICC’s governance committee meeting recently. “The world is looking at you. It’s not only the BCCI but it’s also the ICC that is getting very concerned,” he said.
“In the governance committee also, when they were talking about constitutional amendment they thought [if such is] the situation in one of the permanent members what do we expect in other countries? [The] ICC can’t keep quiet on this because it is the BCCI, they have to give notice and all that.”
The BCCI had decided to trial the pink ball during the Duleep Trophy before possibly going ahead with it during the long home season in 2016-17. The official conceded that legal battles had stalled the progress of cricketing matters. The domestic calendar has not yet been announced.
“With this kind of confusion, how can we [focus on] cricket?” he asked. “We had decided everything [on the domestic fixtures] a month back, but we have been stuck with the judgement.”

It is understood that with the parliamentary session in progress on Tuesday, Thakur, who is a Member of Parliament with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, will be unavailable to meet the Lodha Committee in any case. It is understood that Shirke wrote to the committee on Sunday night requesting that the meeting be deferred. The committee, however, declined the request.According to a legal expert, a review petition has to be filed within 30 days of the verdict, and it will be heard by the same bench of judges that passed the judgement, in this case Chief Justice of India TS Thakur.”Review petitions are usually entertained when there is an error apparent. But here is a case where two judges have taken a very serious view of the matter; it’s not like they have passed a judgement after one hearing,” the legal expert told ESPNcricinfo. “The judges have taken a very specific view on the matter. The question of whether it’s wrong is not something the Supreme Court is going to go into. They are not going to re-examine those things.The expert said “99%” of the petitions were dismissed in the chamber itself. “[Review petitions come into the picture in] cases where very serious legal errors are committed, which the court may not have been aware of,” the expert said.”Some fact, for example, which for some reason the court didn’t consider which completely alters the nature of the judgement. It’s just sort of a thing which parties file mostly to prolong the matter as opposed to actually getting any relief.”The point of having a Supreme Court is to ensure matters come to a conclusion and some final judgement is arrived at. Now if they will file a review petition it will go before CJI Thakur and some other judge who will be assigned to the matter.”The expert felt that should Thakur and Shirke not meet with the Lodha Committee it might lead to contempt proceedings. “There is an argument that can be made that the committee’s findings essentially merge with the Supreme Court’s judgement,” he said. “Therefore, if they fail to abide by an order of the court then that could amount to contempt of the court.”I am pretty sure if they don’t meet them tomorrow then someone will file a contempt petition or the Supreme Court itself can also , take it upon themselves and say you should have appeared, or the Lodha Committee might write to the Supreme Court and say they haven’t appeared.”A Lodha Committee source also confirmed that contempt proceedings would be initiated should Thakur and Shirke not turn up for the meeting.The BCCI official, however, suggested the board couldn’t afford to worry about consequences considering that they were “fighting for survival.” “This is all we can do, what else can we do,” he said. “We also have our fundamental rights.”Katju, who submitted an interim report to the BCCI on Sunday, had also termed the court’s order “unconstitutional and illegal” and said it had violated “principles of the Indian Constitution”.