American Premier League Marred By Huge Controversy Between Organizers And Umpires

The ongoing edition of the American Premier League (APL) has been marred by the huge controversy between the organizers and umpires. This all happened ahead of the all-important semi-final stage of the tournament. 

The American Premier League organizers have claimed that umpires in the tournament have told them that they will not officiate until they are given more money. The organizers also revealed that they were being blackmailed by the officials.

The American Premier League organizers have paid an amount of $30,000 to the umpires as a down payment. But even after that umpires have refused to take field in the semi-finals of the tournament. 

The organizers of the American Premier League released an official statement of the whole saga and revealed that umpires namely Danny Khan, Vijaya, and Brian Owens were officially conveyed that they cannot blackmail and they need to host the games. 

The organisers revealed that after ‘greedy umpires’ didn’t agree with them they were thrown out of the ground. They added that they were forced to call the cops after their demands. The statement read: 

“The Umpires were paid a down payment and they held the semifinal hostage and blackmailed the owner in shelling out 30k or else no match. Danny Khan, Vijaya, Brian Owens were told that they cannot black mail and hold the semi hostage as an umpire but these greedy umpires didn’t budge at which point they were asked to leave so the match goes on and they refused and held the match hostage at which point cops called. 

“And these greedy umpires were thrown out of the ground. An umpire should never hold a match hostage especially when they know it’s the playoffs and blackmail the league owner into submission.” 

Police were called on us when we demanded the payment – Umpires blame American Premier League organizers for not paying them 

After the American Premier League released the official statement about the saga, the umpires too didn’t hold back and revealed their side of the story. The officials revealed that they were not paid the sum of $30,000 and when they asked for the payment, they were handed to police. 

Umpire Vijaya Prakash Mallela revealed that they were left with no choice 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 ICC Panel Umpire from the USA. It was a pleasure working with the teams for the last 10 days. Sorry, this has to end this way with umpires not getting paid about $30,000.00 balance, after paying our own expenses. Police were called on us when we demanded the payment towards our services and expenses. We had no choice, but leave. Good luck to all of you in your future endeavours.” 

Here's another update from the drama unfolding in Texas today at the American Premier League T20 cricket event. Umpires who had the cops called on them by APL official for not taking the field say they refused to take the field because they were owed… Approximately $30,000. https://t.co/rzodjRUVSg pic.twitter.com/VaK5WLeyXM

— Peter Della Penna (@PeterDellaPenna) December 30, 2023

Coming to the American Premier League, the first semi-final of the tournament took place between Premium Indians and Premium Pakistan. Indians emerged victorious by 6 runs in the first game. West Indies player Rahkeem Cornwall was the star for the team with the bat as he slammed 41 runs off 20 balls. 

The final of the tournament will take place between Premium Indians and Premium Afghans on 31st December.