By STEPHON NICHOLAS Thursday, April 22 2010

THE WEST Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) has claimed that the potential stand-off between with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) only occurred because the stipulations of the New York Agreement (NYA) were not maintained by regional governing body.

The WICB had agreed to pay US$450,000 as a settlement to players after mediation last year which ended with the NYA on October 10, 2009.

The players’ body had a special meeting with their members on October 29, 2009 in Guyana and the players had agreed that when the money was disbursed, WIPA would be paid a fee (reportedly US$150,000).

WIPA had given the cricket’s regional governing body an April 16, 2010 deadline as the WICB had appeared reluctant to fulfil their promise. In a last minute decision, the WICB had agreed to pay the sum to avert a potential legal battle.

WIPA noted that it was natural that they incurred expenses while representing the players in the discussions last year.

The WICB had refused to pay the settlement to WIPA and requested a list of players for the money to be made out to. WIPA explained that “in the interest of expediting the settlement” they agreed despite no mention of providing a list being in the NYA.

“The list was provided so that money could be disbursed to he players. The WICB nevertheless persisted in its objections to the list”.

WIPA pointed out that the WICB was in no position to approve a list.

“WIPA’s position...was that the contents of the list was an internal matter and that under the terms of the NYA, the WICB had no authority/jurisdiction to approve or disapprove it.”

Dr Ernest Hilaire, CEO of the WICB, noted that his organisation was not pleased with the contents of the list and pointed out that several players who were “affected” were not included.

“A list of 16 players was submitted, and those were the players who had gone on strike during the Bangladesh series last year,” he said.

“We explained that all players affected by all the matters that were raised ought to benefit from the money, and not just a few players,” he added.

But WIPA fired back, explaining that Hilaire did not take part in the NYA and he was ignorant of its guidelines. WIPA declared that it was the 16 players in the list provided who were deserving of the settlement.

“Disputes affect many players, on psychological and other levels. This does not mean that they are entitled to partake in the settlement,” the media release from WIPA stated.

Hilaire argued that the settlement was to cover loss of earnings from the home series against Bangladesh last year, breaches of the collective bargaining agreement and memorandum of understanding by the WICB, as well as retainer contracts and player rankings, and non-payment for injured players.

WIPA ridiculed his claim, explaining that it was completely false.