ICC says it can’t intervene in WICB/BCCI dispute

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, CMC- The International Cricket Council (ICC) says it does not have the power to intervene in the current dispute between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) unless it is asked to do so.

The ICC outlined its position in a statement yesterday as the WICB moves to setup a meeting with the BCCI in a bid to repair the damage after its players pulled out of the Indian tour over an internal pay dispute.

However the ICC says it was concerned with the dispute between BCCI and WICB and was closely monitoring the developments arising from the recently cancelled tour of India.

The International Cricket Council said on Wednesday it was concerned with the dispute between the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the West Indies Cricket Board, and was closely monitoring the developments arising from the recently cancelled tour of India.

“The ICC hopes that the matter will be resolved amicably, but clarified that, unless the matter is otherwise referred to it, it does not have the power to intervene in disputes resulting from a bilateral FTP tour.”

West Indies players are angry with WIPA over a change in their Collective Bargaining Agreement with the WICB, which they claim results in a drastic reduction in their earnings.

The pullout has angered the BCCI and soured its relationship with the WICB.

BCCI announced that it would “initiate legal proceedings” against WICB and has suspended all bilateral tours by India to the West Indies.

The WICB said it was “deeply embarrassed” by the premature end to the tour, in a release issued late Tuesday following a marathon crisis meeting of directors in Barbados.

WICB says it will establish a Task Force to probe the circumstances leading up to the cancellation of the tour.

The matter will be discussed at the ICC Board meeting, which is scheduled for 10 November in Dubai.