The current edition of the American Premier League (APL) has been marred by enormous controversy between the organizers and the referees. All this happened before the important semi-final of the tournament.
US Premier League organizers have claimed that tournament referees have told them they will not officiate until they are given more money. The organizers also revealed that they were being blackmailed by officials.
The organizers of the American Premier League have paid the referees an amount of $30,000 as an advance. But even after that, the referees refused to play in the semi-finals of the tournament.
The organizers of the American Premier League issued an official statement on the entire saga and revealed that referees Danny Khan, Vijaya and Brian Owens have been officially told that they cannot blackmail and that they must organize the games.
The organizers revealed that after “greedy referees” disagreed with them, they were kicked off the ground. They added that they were forced to call the police after their demands. The statement said:
“The referees were paid a down payment, held the semi-final hostage and blackmailed the owner into shelling out $30,000 or else they wouldn’t play. Danny Khan, Vijaya and Brian Owens were told that they couldn’t blackmail and hold the semi hostage as a referee but these greedy referees wouldn’t budge, at which point they were asked to leave for the match to continue and they refused and celebrated. the match. hostage and at that moment the police called.
“And these greedy referees were chased off the ground. A referee should never hold a game hostage, especially when he knows it is the playoffs and blackmail the league owner into submission.”
They called the police on us when we demanded payment: referees blame American Premier League organizers for not paying them
After the American Premier League made public the official statement about the saga, the referees did not hold back either and revealed their version of the events. The officials revealed that they were not paid the sum of $30,000 and when they asked for payment they were handed over to the police.
Umpire Vijaya Prakash Mallela revealed that they were left with no other option and that’s why they had to leave the tournament. Journalist Penna revealed the screenshots of the official’s statement:
“I am Vijaya Prakash Mallela, one of the referees on the US ICC panel. It was a pleasure working with the teams over the last 10 days. Sorry, this has to end this way, with the arbitrators not receiving a balance of approximately $30,000.00, after paying our own expenses. They called the police on us when we demanded payment for our services and expenses. We had no choice but to leave. Good luck to all of you in your future endeavors.”
Here’s another update on the drama unfolding in Texas today at the American Premier League T20 cricket event. Referees who had the police called by an APL official for not taking the field say they refused to take the field because they were owed… Approximately $30,000. pic.twitter.com/VaK5WLeyXM
– Peter Della Penna (@PeterDellaPenna) December 30, 2023
As for the American Premier League, the first semi-final of the tournament took place between Premium Indians and Premium Pakistan. The Indians were victorious by 6 runs in the first game. West Indies player Rahkeem Cornwall was the star of the team with the bat as he scored 41 runs off 20 balls.
The final of the tournament will take place between Premium Indians and Premium Afghans on December 31.
