BBC Inside Sport
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The British government is considering banning all Zimbabwean sports people from competing in the United Kingdom.
The BBC's Inside Sport programme has learned that this is one option being discussed to prevent Zimbabwe's cricket team touring England next year.
Cricket chiefs have warned that England could lose the rights to host the 2009 World Twenty20 if Zimbabwe are banned.
A likely compromise would be for the government to stop Zimbabwe cricketers from coming to the UK next summer.
But Prime Minister Gordon Brown is determined to take a tough stance against Robert Mugabe.
Denying visas to all Zimbabwe sports people would be a highly controversial decison.
For example, Cara Black could not defend her Wimbledon women's doubles title, Olympic swimming champion Kirsty Coventry would not be able to enter the UK and golfer Nick Price would be unable to play in the Open.
There could also be a knock-on effect for England's World Cup bid for 2018 and for Zimbabwe's competitors at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014.
There would be no issue with the 2012 Olympics, as the government has already had to sign the host city contract that guarantees entry into the country for anybody with International Olympic Committee (IOC) accreditation.
A solution would be to stop only Zimbabwe's cricketers from coming to the UK although this would not please the sport's governing body, the International Cricket Council.
Alternatively, the government could stop the tour but allow Zimbabwe to compete at the ICC World Twenty20 later in 2009.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has refused to ban Zimbabwe despite numerous protests during matches involving the country and a source told the BBC there was no chance of it changing its mind.
Tony Blair's government stopped short of banning England's cricketers from touring Zimbabwe, although authorities in Australia and New Zealand have done so with their sides.
Former Zimbabwean cricketer Henry Olonga welcomed the renewed attention given to the issue.
He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "It's great to see that Gordon Brown is taking a much stronger stance than his predecessor.
"Zimbabwe's in a desperate position, 100,000% inflation, there's poverty across the whole country, so it's a deperate, desperate situation."
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is trying to reach a financial compromise with Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) to call off next summer's two Test matches and three one-day internationals.
But the ECB does not yet seem to be close to any deal.
Speaking in Hamilton ahead of the first Test on Tuesday, England captain Michael Vaughan said: "We're here playing New Zealand and we're completely committed to playing this series.
"I haven't heard anything about Zimbabwe and we're focused on this series but if it does come up in the next few weeks we'll have a better answer for you."
The government will want to wait until after the elections in Zimbabwe at the end of March before making a decision.
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Sky Sports
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Manchester City have rubbished reports that Benjani Mwaruwari could be banned from playing for the club.
Reports in the BBC's Inside Sport programme had suggested that the Zimbabwe striker could be barred from playing as part of an attempt to put pressure on the African country's president Robert Mugabe.
However, City have rejected the speculation and insist that they have received a work permit for Benjani until 2011 after the forward completed a drawn out January transfer move from Portsmouth.
City spokesman Paul Tyrrell told the club's official website on Tuesday: "This is the worst type of scare story which shows a lack of editorial integrity from the programme makers.
"Although we are pleased that the BBC have today been quickly distancing themselves from the claim regarding Benjani, it is important to make the position crystal clear regarding his ability to live and work in the UK.
"The player last month received a three and half year work permit from the Home Office to play for Manchester City. We have been assured work permits are non-negotiable.
"The programme makers and the BBC should apologise to the player immediately."
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Personally, I wouldn't have given Benjani a work permit in the first place! Zimbabwe are barely in the top 100 countries (they're ranked 96th) and as a non-EU player he's taking the place of someone who didn't need a work permit. AND he's taking a place that could be filled by a local youngster! Revoke his and any other non-EU player, in whatever sport and send them back home!
FOREIGNERS OUT! says 'Chopper'
Benjani fell asleep
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