Should politics play a part in sport?

Tony Blair has called on England's cricket team to pull out of the Cricket World Cup, in protest against Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe's regime.

If the team go ahead with the boycott, they could forfeit two points in the World Cup and face a �1m fine.

It would also raise the possibility of Zimbabwe pulling out of a tour next year, which would cost English cricket millions more.

Some of the county cricket bosses interviewed by BBC Five Live Breakfast fear that such a loss could ruin smaller clubs, if compensation was not paid.

Would the Government have a duty to cover cricket's losses?

It is the duty of the government to make a country's foreign policy; therefore, it should assume all responsibility for its effects. I think the government should pay.
Hamza Sheikh, USA

It is typical of the sheer arrogance of Blair and his hypocritical government to expect England to pull out of the Zimbabwe game, and to refuse to compensate the ECB financially, when hundreds of British firms are trading with Zimbabwe. The ECB should tell him where to go.
Nick Toye, UK

It's particularly gutless of the government to put heavy pressure on the ECB to pull out and yet stop short of ordering them to Jeremy Griffiths, Manchester, UK

If Blair expects England to pull out of the Zimbabwe match, which is no doubt the correct thing to do, then he should stop passing the buck, make the decision, and fully back the ECB which includes covering the cost of any compensation payout - he would do no less for the FA.
Ian, England

England should play in Zimbabwe. Once again our shambolic government sits on the fence. If they are so concerned about events in Zimbabwe, how come they have not imposed economic sanctions or taken other similar steps? Once again the buck is being passed.
Matt Thomas, UK

No-one comes out of this with any credit. At comparatively short notice, the government seems to be expecting the England cricket team to pull out of the match with Zimbabwe, even though the problems there have been evident for months if not years.

Surely someone in the government could have raised this after Mugabe's dodgy election win in July - after all, the World Cup fixtures have been settled for some time.
Roy Pinney, England

It's particularly gutless of the government to put heavy pressure on the ECB to pull out and yet stop short of ordering them to. It means they don't have to stump up for the costs and can pass the buck to people who shouldn't have to make this decision.

If the Government don't want England to play in Zimbabwe, they should have the courage to say so, not attempt moral blackmail to keep their hands clean.
Jeremy Griffiths, Manchester, UK

Compensation is fair- there is no government ban on trading with Zimbabwe at present and other companies continue to do so freely. If Tony Blair wants the ECB to make a special stand on his advice then there is no reason why they should be out of pocket to the tune of millions of pounds.
Bob, England

Full marks should go to the ECB in the way that it has handled this whole matter Mike, England

IF the government wishes the England team to pull out of any sporting event for political reasons then the government should pick up the tab.

I would be happy to see a boycott put in place but it would be a political decision and as such the government must pay for any costs incurred. The current government position that the ECCB should pick up the tab for their change of political heart is morally unacceptable and typical of modern politicians.
Chris, UK

This is not just a problem of mixing sport and politics. The confusion comes from mixing sport, politics and money. The England team does not only represent England, it is also the 'end product' of sports funding which will be severely depleted if they do not play.

Morally, the team should not play but they will not choose this option as it is not in the interests of the sport. The government should put its money where its mouth is and pay for the team NOT to play.
Ali Redford, Plumstead, UK

Full marks should go to the ECB in the way that it has handled this whole matter as the government has acted like a 'back seat' driver telling them what to do / where to go without any interest in supporting them.
Mike, England

Yes compensation would be due. If the government wants the England cricket team to do the dirty work it hasn't got the guts to do itself then they should pay up. Instead of taking a firm lead and imposing real economic sanctions and removing Zimbabwe from the Commonwealth, the government instead try to use the cricket team to show that they are doing something.

If the British Government want England to boycott, then they must pay the compensation Paul, England

I don't see them calling on British businesses to boycott Zimbabwe. Furthermore, I take it that the government will also be calling for a boycott of the China Olympics in 2008 due to their lack of democracy and appalling human rights record?
Matthew, UK

I think that politics does play a part in sport, whether intentionally or not. Sport has such widespread appeal that politicians will always try to exploit it for their benefit.

As for the question of compensation, I think that it would depend on who makes the decision to boycott the match. If it is the government who says the team can't play, they should pay compensation. If the Cricket Board makes the decision not to play, they should foot the bill themselves.
Luke, UK

I think it is shameful that the government is trying to score cheap PR off the ECB in any event. Saying they won't pay compensation just shows how hollow their rhetoric is. It's yet another example that politics and sport do not mix.
Ian, UK

It is wrong to think that the only reason the cricket is going to go to Zimbabwe is for financial reasons. They have the opportunity to stand by the white farmers and support them by boycotting the matches. Why should we go?

After all the comments that Mugabe has made about Britain and our way of corrupting the world, why should we go and jeopardise the lives of the players and supporters? Give them the money they need not to go and stand by your comments Mr Blair!!
Calvin Orley, UK

The government should help out the ECB financially Anand Reddy, UK

If the government wants to occupy the moral high ground on this issue it should backup its rhetoric with action. Impose trade sanctions banning ALL businesses from trading with Zimbabwe. It is unfair to only pick a soft, media visible target.
Paul C, England

If Blair's feelings are consistent, he should cut off all ties to Zimbabwe, not limiting it to cricket. Compensation should be paid to the ECB as the government is suggesting the cricket team do not to go, whereas the ECB is undecided on this.
Murugan Balasubramanian, India, Currently in Japan

If the British Government want England to boycott, then they must pay the compensation. Political decisions should not be left up to sports' governing bodies. Blair is suggesting they should boycott but he is not ordering the boycott. This is just putting pressure on the ECB to make the "right decision".

As for the possibility of Zimbabwe pulling out of their tour to England in the summer then so be it. I'm sure a new series could be hastily arranged. We have yet to play Bangladesh and I'm sure they would be more than interested in a mini tour to England.
Paul, England

The government should help out the ECB financially. But then to avoid hypocrisy, Mr Blair should be lobbying world leaders to agree to a complete prohibition of all trading and sporting ties. Oooops I forgot, there is no oil in Zimbabwe and a lot of British companies trade with Zimbabwe. Some consistency please.
Anand Reddy, UK