KINGSTON: The West Indies Cricket Board has continued its long-running war of words with the West Indies Players Association, accusing the union's president Dinanath Ramnarine of threatening an executive with a chair at the recent meeting to discuss the future of Chris Gayle.
The WICB directors stated after a board meeting last Friday that it was no longer prepared to negotiate with Ramnarine due to his “threatening action” and “unprofessional conduct” toward WICB chief executive Ernest Hilaire.
A media release Wednesday went further, outlining a letter from WICB secretary Stephen Camacho to the players' union.
“Ramnarine rose from his chair, picked up the chair, and advanced towards the WICB CEO in a threatening manner,” the letter said.
“The Board is not prepared to tolerate such conduct, including the use of foul and abusive language towards its representatives during meetings which are meant to be constructive, professional exchanges between parties on matters relating to West Indies cricket.”
The letter demanded an apology from Ramnarine as well as a promise to refrain from such behavior in future before it considered allowing him to attend any further negotiations.
The WICB also called for a meeting between the executive committees of both boards “to discuss the status of our relations.”
The release also included an older letter sent by Ken Grodon, the previous President of WICB, to Ramnarine four years ago detailing accusations of aggressive behavior at meetings with the board.
The WIPA has backed Ramnarine, stating that it had complete confidence in its president and CEO and that he continued to have full authority to represent the players union in all matters.
It also said that Ramnarine was considering legal action against Hilaire for unsubstantiated claims he made during the meeting about former West Indies captain Gayle.
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