ICC to stop planes from entering Old Trafford airspace after Leeds fiasco

Following the embarrassing episodes in Leeds during the India-Sri Lanka game, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has demanded to know what processes the ICC has put in place to avoid a similar political slogan fiasco in Manchester, when India play New Zealand in the first semifinal on Tuesday. World Cup Managing Director Steve Elworthy has promised the Indian cricket board that every step is being taken to avoid a repeat of the incident.
A plane carrying the slogan ‘Justice for Kashmir’ was first seen flying over the Headingley Cricket Ground on Saturday which was followed by another plane with the slogan ‘India Stop Genocide & Free Kashmir’. It was further followed by another plane which asked people to stop mob lynching in India.

In a letter to the BCCI, Elworthy wrote, “Jill McCracken (CWC 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 representation in the strongest possible terms that the match is protected.
BCCI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rahul Johri had asked for a detailed explanation on the steps that were being taken to avoid the Leeds mishap.
“Kindly appraise us of the steps that have been taken by the ICC & the ECB to prevent any untoward incident when India play the semifinal on the 9th in Manchester. At our end, we are also in touch with the Indian High Commission in the UK, for them to address the issue with the relevant UK authorities. Please keep us informed,” Johri wrote to the ICC.
IANS