ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – The West Indies Cricket Board said yesterday they had embraced CARICOM’s six-point plan aimed at ending the bitter dispute with the West Indies Players Association, but had reservations over one of the recommendations regarding players fees.
WICB president Julian Hunte said following discussions with CARICOM, the Board had “accepted the recommendations of CARICOM and has asked CARICOM to commence discussions with a view to resolving the impasse at the earliest opportunity.”
He said, however, the WICB had “certain reservations” over recommendation ‘B’ but were still “committed to finding a common understanding and a satisfactory mechanism for resolving all of the issues in dispute.”
Under this recommendation in the plan laid out by CARICOM last week, the WICB would agree to the television/image rights fees (sponsor’s fees) traditionally paid to players.
This would be pending special arbitration on the issue, with the view of signing the disputed retainer contracts by October 1.
Hunte, who has presided over a turbulent period of regional cricket, said the WICB was “anxious to hold an initial meeting to discuss a roadmap which fulfills the meaning and intent of the CARICOM recommendations.”
Last week, WIPA said they had welcomed CARICOM’s intervention and embraced the proposals that had been put forward.
The contracts dispute, now in its third month, has led to the region’s elite players refusing to play for the West Indies.
