New Delhi, Feb. 24: Another meeting, another deadlock. With Monday’s interaction between the representatives of the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Indian Cricket League proving a dud, focus now shifts from administrators to those ‘rebel’ players for whom the outcome of the Johannesburg meet was their last hope to return to the domestic circuit.

The rebel league is facing a serious money crunch and hasn’t paid wages to several players — both foreign and Indian. While some Australian cricketers in the ICL are yet to receive as much as $100,000 in quarterly payement, the Indians — paid on a monthly basis — are still waiting for last December’s salary.

Delay in payments from the ICL management, by itself, isn’t unusual, but in times of global economic downturn, many have shed their optimism. Adding to their fear are rumours that payments of the players have been put on hold until the management completes a performance review that could lead to downgrading of payments and even sackings.

Several ‘rebels’ have expressed their unhappiness at the current situation to this newspaper, stating that they were looking for ways to opt out of the mess. "A lot of us were hoping for a positive result from the meeting," said a player in his early twenties, who was a promising Ranji Trophy player till recently. "For those who have crossed 30 years in age, it’s okay, but for us who have to pay EMIs on home loans, it’s very difficult."

Another youngster said that while money was not an issue, he still wanted to return to official cricket.

"I’ve earned enough money in two years, but I can’t keep playing in unofficial matches. I had spoken to Shashank Manohar (BCCI president) and he said that he would personally look into ways that I can get back in the domestic circuit. He has told me to quit the ICL first."

Leaving the rebel league, however, would involve a breach of contract that could cost a player all his past earnings. "There’s no exit clause. I have to play out all three years of my contract which is worth $75,000. Till then I have to continue here," he said.

Interestingly, the players have received an email from Subhash Chandra — a copy of which is with this newspaper — not only promising that all wages would be paid in due course, but also hinting that ICL could become an officailly santioned tournament by October this year.

"Without mincing words I admit there are delay in payments... we are fighting... the unjustified labelled by the BCCI and others. I can assure you we are very close to achieving it (official sanction)... in October this year."

If that is to be so, the outcome of Monday’s meeting wasn’t the best of starts.