WIPA 'apology' adds fuel to the flames

Full statement from WIPA in its response to the WICB's demand for an apology

15-Jul-2009

The war of words between the West Indies Players' Association (WIPA) and the West Indies board (WICB) has continued with a tongue-in-cheek apology issued on the players' behalf.

Earlier this week the board demanded an apology from the cricketers who declined to play in the opening Test against Bangladesh, which West Indies lost by 95 runs.

The statement from WIPA made clear that no such expression of regret was likely.

"On behalf of all our members, we wish to apologise to the West Indies Cricket Board for our "unreasonable" behaviour in respect of the following:

For demanding that our members play with a contract clearly outlining the terms and conditions prior to a series or series of matches.
For insisting that all contracts be negotiated by WIPA prior to their being offered to the players, as is provided by the agreements between WIPA and the WICB.
For asking the WICB to honour the agreement and pay the medical treatment when players sustain injuries while representing the West Indies.
For asking that the WICB honour the 2007-2008 agreement that was signed by the players and compensate the players who have been injured while playing for the West Indies as outlined in the agreement.
For asking the WICB to deposit funds it had deducted from the players' salaries and which it failed to pay to the Players Provident Fund Account (Pension Plan) for almost a year.
For asking the WICB to reimburse players who sometimes have to purchase their own airline tickets while on duty for the West Indies.
For not having training camps and specialist camps for the preparation of the team so that the players may improve their performances.
For accepting to play in a series against England at a time of year when no other team has ever played in the history of over 100 years of international cricket.
For asking that the WICB not sell players' intellectual property and image rights without permission.
For tolerating all of the above for far too long out of a desire to wear maroon and for listening to the executive of our association when told that negotiations were in progress and would bear fruit shortly.
For believing that our constitutional right to freedom of association was sacred and would be honoured and respected.

The players would be willing to apologise if the players had:

1. Lost Five (5) million US dollars in the sanctioning of a one-off international 20/20 match as a result of selling rights to a party that had already been sold.

2. Lost three (3) million US dollars as a result of breach of agreement.

3. Spent one (1) million US dollars in the courts in London unsuccessfully defending a legal action.

4. Made an out of court settlement with a broadcaster for breach of contract.

5. Had to defend several other claims for breach of contract including one where the estimated loss of revenue is $500,000.00 US dollars per year.

6. Lost almost US $10 million dollars in almost one year for breach of agreements with third parties.

7. Were responsible for the debacle in Antigua in which the match was called off because of the poor condition of the ground and for failure to fulfill the expectation that some inquiry or explanation would be forthcoming.

A perusal of the above should indicate from where the apology should come."

West Indies