Several teams from this year’s men’s T20 World Cup have yet to receive full prize money payments, according to the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA). Sources close to the situation informed BBC Sport that players from five of the 20 teams that competed in June’s tournament in the United States and Caribbean are still awaiting payment, despite prize money allocations made by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The ICC, which awarded a record £8.8 million in prize money for this year’s expanded tournament, allocates funds to each participating team’s governing body, which is responsible for distributing payments to players. However, the WCA, the sport’s global players’ union, reports that some governing bodies have not fulfilled this responsibility and that, in some cases, they have allegedly engaged in “threatening and intimidatory behavior” towards players who have raised concerns about delayed payments.

“We are extremely concerned with a number of countries who are still yet to pay players their prize money,” said Tom Moffat, WCA’s chief executive. “We appreciate the ICC’s efforts to date in ensuring the players involved are paid in full and are certain the ICC will continue to take all appropriate steps against any boards who do not do so and to enforce their own terms of participation.”

The ICC, aware of the payment discrepancies, is reportedly working alongside national cricket boards in an effort to resolve the delays. While the organization has not publicly commented on the specific countries affected, it has emphasized a commitment to upholding its terms of participation and ensuring fair treatment of players.

The prize structure for this year’s World Cup was the largest in the tournament’s history, reflecting the ICC’s expansion to a 20-team competition. Teams placing between 20th and 13th received £177,000, with an additional £24,500 awarded per match won. Those finishing between ninth and 12th were awarded £195,011, and teams reaching the Super 8 stage took home £301,400. The stakes rose substantially in the final rounds, with semi-finalists receiving £620,500, runners-up £1 million, and the champions an impressive £1.9 million.

The tournament featured teams from 20 nations, including cricket powerhouses like India, South Africa, and England, as well as emerging teams from Nepal, Scotland, Uganda, and Papua New Guinea. The WCA’s reports indicate that player payment issues could affect teams across various competitive levels, though BBC Sport was unable to confirm which teams remain unpaid.

The delays follow broader conversations within the cricket community regarding financial transparency and accountability among national cricket boards. The WCA has expressed concern that, if left unresolved, these issues could undermine the confidence of players and stakeholders in the sport’s governing institutions.

The ICC has not issued a public timeline for when it expects all payments to be completed, but the ongoing discussions with national boards aim to provide resolutions for the affected players. With mounting pressure from both the WCA and international cricket fans, the ICC is expected to increase oversight on financial disbursements, ensuring players receive the earnings they are owed.

Raheem Sterling’s status for Chelsea’s upcoming match has become a point of interest following a statement from his representatives. They highlighted Sterling’s strong working relationship with new manager Enzo Maresca and expressed expectation that he would be involved in Sunday’s fixture at Stamford Bridge.

The statement revealed that Sterling had returned to England two weeks early to engage in individual training and had enjoyed a positive pre-season under Maresca. “He is committed, as ever, to delivering at the highest level for Chelsea FC and the fans, who he holds in high regard,” it read. The expectation of his involvement in the weekend’s game was bolstered by his inclusion in official pre-match materials.

Chelsea’s significant investment in the transfer market this summer, totaling around £185 million for 11 new signings, has resulted in a squad of over 40 senior players. Sterling, who joined Chelsea from Manchester City for £50 million in July 2022, has made 81 appearances for the club. His early arrival and positive pre-season performances had led to anticipation of his role in the upcoming match.

However, Maresca addressed the media about his decision to leave Sterling out of the squad. “The manager has to make some decisions. Sometimes players don’t like it, that’s normal,” Maresca told Sky Sports. “Just a technical decision, no more than that.”

Chelsea, under co-controlling owners Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly, has spent approximately £1.5 billion on transfers since their takeover, with a strategic focus on acquiring younger players with high resale value. Sterling was among the first to join the club after the ownership change.

The statement from Sterling’s representatives noted ongoing positive dialogue with Chelsea regarding his future at the club and expressed hope for clarity on the situation. As Sterling and his camp await further details, they remain focused on supporting his ambition to start the new season on a strong note.

Organizers of the Paris 2024 Olympics announced on Sunday that the practice swim session in the River Seine had been cancelled due to poor water quality. The decision was made after recent heavy rains caused the water quality to fall below the required standards.

Despite initial expectations of improvement in conditions by Sunday morning, the water quality remained insufficient to permit the practice swim scheduled for 07:00 BST. The rain, which occurred towards the end of last week, led to increased levels of E. coli and other bacteria in the Seine.

As a result of the deteriorated conditions, the men’s triathlon event has been postponed by a day and is now set to take place on Wednesday. The heavy rainfall has impacted the water quality, though Paris is expected to experience a temperature of 25°C later on Sunday, which could help in reducing the bacterial levels in the river.

Olympic organizers are closely monitoring the situation and are working to ensure that all necessary measures are taken to maintain safety and hygiene standards for the upcoming events.