West Indian players deny 'scandalous' sex claims

West Indies' players have lashed out at allegations that they paid more attention to women that to cricket during the recent VB Series. These claims were made by Richard Nowell, the representative of Digicel, the team sponsor. The Trinidad Express reported that the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) has termed the accusations as "scandalous" and "unjustified".

The press release issued by Dinanath Ramnarine, the president of WIPA, stated: "Those comments contained unjustified imputations on the character and behaviour of West Indian players who are all members of WIPA."

Nowell's leaked memorandum had also accused players of being hostile and not being co-operative for interviews and photo shoots arranged by Digicel. WIPA countered: "The players' association and West Indies Cricket Board concluded negotiations on a tour contract before the departure of the West Indies team for the VB series in Australia. The players have fulfilled all their contractual obligations as specified in the tour contract."

Ramnarine further said that Digicel had made "unjustified demands" on the players during the tour - demands that were not covered by the agreement between the players' association and the board. He added that the players' association had asked the board to discourage Digicel from making such requests of their players while on tour.

He said WIPA was concerned with being described as a "terrorist association", and would be seeking legal advice on behalf of the players.

In a separate media statement, Teddy Griffith, the president of the West Indies Board, said that he was "in communication on the matter with Digicel chairman, Denis O'Brien, and the issues surrounding that publication will be among items discussed at Sunday's meeting in Barbados that will also consider tour reports from manager Tony Howard, head coach Bennett King and media liaison Imran Khan."