Sunday 10 / November / 2024
Dubai: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday said that certain comments and actions by some of the West Indies players after clinching the World T20 were "inappropriate, disrespectful and brought the event into disrepute".
After clinching the World T20 on April 4 following a thrilling last-over win over England in the finals, West Indies skipper Darren Sammy had launched a scathing attack on West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) in an emotional speech at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
The ICC Board, which held its second meeting this year at the ICC Headquarters in Dubai on Sunday, said: "The Board considered the behavior of some of the West Indies players in the immediate aftermath of the final, and unanimously agreed that certain comments and actions were inappropriate, disrespectful and brought the event into disrepute.
"The Board acknowledged an apology by the WICB but was disappointed to note that such behavior had detracted from the success of what was otherwise a magnificent tournament and final," it added.
Apart from Sammy, West Indies cricketers Dwayne Bravo and Chris Gayle were also very critical of the West Indies Cricket Board, agsint whom they have been involved in a long and bitter pat dispute.
"The Board also noted that very serious consideration had been given to bringing Code of Conduct charges in respect of the behavior of the West Indies players and emphasised that this was not acceptable conduct at ICC Events played out on a world stage in front of millions of people around the globe," ICC said in a release.
ICC Chairman Mr Shashank Manohar said: "The sport of cricket is proud of its unique spirit and this involves being gracious in victory as well as defeat and respectful at all times to the game, one's opponents, the sponsors and the fans."
Among the decisions made and reports received during the meeting, the ICC suspended the Membership of Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN).
"In light of the ongoing court case involving the cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) and the Ad hoc Committee established by the Nepalese National Sports Council (NSC), which has led to a vacuum of cricket leadership in Nepal, the Board suspended the Membership of CAN for breach of Article 2.9 of the ICC's Articles of Association, which prohibits
government interference and requires free and fair elections," the ICC said.
"The suspension means that CAN will not be entitled to receive any ICC funding. However, the Board, in its absolute discretion and considering that the players should not suffer due to this suspension, decided that the Nepal cricket teams would be able to continue to feature in ICC events."
