The West Indies Players Association (WIPA) yesterday said that the decision not to enter into negotiations with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Federation of International Cricketers Association (FICA) was because it is already committed to a binding arbitration process which is to be determined shortly.
On Saturday the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) said that WIPA had refused an offer from the ICC to settle the long running feud between the two organizations.
The WICB said it had been approached by cricket’s world governing body, the ICC, who in conjunction with international players body, FICA, proposed an intervention which was rejected by the WIPA.
But the WIPA in a press release stated: “Mindful of the acceptance of the recommendations of the Caricom Prime-Ministerial Sub-Committee on cricket of 11th September 2009 by both West Indies Players Association and the WICB, the agreement brokered by Caricom and the New York Agreement (between the WICB and WIPA in October 2009), the WICB and WIPA agreed to two Special Binding Arbitrations which are due to be heard shortly before a panel of distinguished Caribbean jurists.
“WIPA fully respects and is willing to submit to the decision of the Arbitration Panel appointed by Caricom, win or lose.
WIPA explained in the release that it was unwilling to breach “these agreements to go to non-binding negotiations/mediation with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Federation of International Cricketers Association (FICA).
“WIPA’s position on the WICB’s proposal to once again attempt non-binding negotiations/mediation on this matter was conveyed to the ICC and FICA who both indicated that they understood and respected WIPA’s view,” the release stated.
WIPA said it had informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) and FICA that it would be happy to have their assistance with a number of other outstanding matters.
