Modi gives Counties green light to use rebels Source - cricket20.com Tweet David Collier, chief executive of the ECB has successfully persuaded the Champions League governing council to allow teams from England to play in October's Champions League regardless of fielding players with links to the rebel ICL.   Modi talking to the media at todays press conference in Johannesburg With less then 24 hours to go before the start of this years Twenty20 Cup all 18 Counties have been given the green light to play their ICL rebel players without the fear of being banned from the Champions League. Last season the Kent Spitfires, who lost in the Twenty20 Cup Final to the Middlesex Crusaders were banned from entering the Champions League because they picked ICL rebels Justin Kemp and Azhar Mahmood. Although the ICL players will be able to play for their counties in the Twenty20 Cup they will still be banned from the Champions League, the Counties however will be free to participate in the Champions League which takes place in October. Lalit Modi, the Champions League chairman backed down from last years total ban because the organisers realised they needed teams from England to participate in order for ESPN, holders of the billion dollar Champion League TV contract to gain maximum return for their investment.