ICC advocates practical, acceptable solution

Executive Board to discuss BCCI move to reject WADA code

“What both parties are looking for is a practical and mutually acceptable solution to the current situation,” ICC Media and Communications Manager Brian Murgatroyd said in a statement here on Sunday.

“The next step is for this matter to be considered further by the ICC Board to find a way forward. The ICC will make no further comment at this time,” he added.

The BCCI refused to accept the ‘Whereabouts Clause’ in the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) code after Indian players expressed their reservations against it. “The ICC is grateful to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and its players for giving their time on Sunday to try and work through the issues relating to the implementation of the ICC Anti-Doping Code,” said Murgatroyd.

“The ICC has noted the decision of the BCCI working committee. The ICC is aware of the issues of concern and it remains confident they can be addressed to everyone’s satisfaction,” he said.

“The ICC and the BCCI are committed to a zero-tolerance approach to doping in cricket,” he added.

BCCI confident

The BCCI, however, exuded confidence that a solution could be found at the ICC Executive Board meeting.

“We have to address the concerns of our players. We can’t ignore that. We have taken a stand, and accordingly it will be discussed in Executive Board meeting. I am confident and hopeful that a workable solution will be found out,” BCCI Finance and Media Committee chairman Rajiv Shukla said.

“The members of the Board also realise the problem of the Indian players, their security concerns and constitutional rights.

“They will definitely look at it, we should not jump to a conclusion. Let’s wait for the Executive Board meeting, let them deliberate upon it and something will surely come out,” he said.

BCCI’s Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty was also confident that an amicable solution would be found.

“We at BCCI are hopeful that some solution will be worked out. There is no ego clash between the ICC and the BCCI, we are looking at the whole situation and thinking to find out a practical solution,” Shetty said.

Asked what would happen if cricket enters Olympics, Shetty said the matter can be solved through dialogue.

“The ICC have to take up a dialogue with the WADA. Football players also declined the sign the clause and the FIFA has engaged in a negotiation with WADA, so that would be the case of ICC also,” Shetty said.