Men start collecting outstanding payment

ST JOHN’S: THE West Indies Cricket Board  (WICB) expect to begin making outstanding payments to West Indies players. The CaribbeanCricket.com website broke the story on Saturday that the WICB have not paid the players their match fees for the Third and Fourth Tests during the recent tour of England, match fees for the ICC Champions Trophy, sponsorship shares from Sandals Resorts and LNM Group, and funds withheld from players to cover fines. “The WICB and the West Indies Players’ Association have been engaged for some time in discussions with respect to outstanding payments to the players,” remarked Leonard Robertson, the WICB communications director, in a news release.

The establishment of a payment schedule has been part on these ongoing discussions, given, as the board had explained in an earlier statement of October 7 that its cash flow had been adversely affected. Robertson noted that the significant refund requirement following the abandonment of three limited-overs internationals against England during the 2004 home series, as well as the tardy receipt of expected funds have put a strain on the WICB’s finances. “In the course of the discussions, the WICB have agreed to begin making outstanding payments to the West Indies players from Wednesday and expects to conclude the process within the next month if not before,” he said.

“The WICB are determined to meet all their outstanding commitments to the players as they  view these payments as their top priority. The WICB have always honoured their obligations to the players, even though there have been occasions when such payments have been delayed.” Robertson said the WICB appreciated the patience and understanding of the players with respect to the settling of financial arrangements.