Blair powerless in cricket row

President Mugabe's regime has been criticised

Tony Blair said the British Government has no powers to stop England playing in Zimbabwe in the World Cup.

But the Prime Minister urged England's cricketers to boycott the match on 13 February in the Zimbabwe capital Harare.

We've expressed our view very clearly that the players should not go

Tony Blair

Mr Blair's comments, at prime minister's question time, reiterated those of Welsh Secretary Peter Hain.

Mr Blair said: "We've expressed our view very clearly that [the players] should not go.

"But as with decision over the 1980 Olympics it is not within our power or ability to tell other people not to go.

"We've made it quite clear to the cricket authorities that we believe that they should not go.

"I hope they take account of our advice. Whether they do so or not is a matter for them."

Credibility

The England and Wales Cricket Board is meeting with the government on Thursday to discuss the matter further.

On Sunday, Mr Hain - who was a noted anti-apartheid campaigner - asked the players to "show some moral backbone" by refusing to play in Zimbabwe if the event goes ahead.

England cricket captain Nasser Hussain has asked the government to make the decision over of a boycott on behalf of English cricket.

But Mr Hain said the credibility of the International Cricket Council and the Commonwealth depended on the whole event being switched to South Africa.

There has been an international outcry about Mr Mugabe's treatment of white farmers and opposition politicians, while millions face starvation in a humanitarian crisis.