New Delhi, August 01: In an attempt to resolve the deadlock over implementation of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code, the International Cricket Council (ICC) will be sending their lawyer – Iain Higgins – to Mumbai to discuss the modalities with BCCI officials after the Indian players refused to sign it, saying that its clauses invaded on their privacy.
According to ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat, there is no reason for BCCI to delay the implementation of the requirements specified by the WADA. The WADA code requires that players reveal their whereabouts in an online form to maintain ‘an effective out-of-competition testing programme’. Lorgat said that most of the international players have given their consent to the clause, except the Indians.
The Indians are against signing the dotted line as they feel the clause invades on their privacy and it would be almost impossible for them to give their exact whereabouts due to their everchanging professional and personal schedules, especially during the off- season. The players also believe that giving out such information may result in security breaches.
Lorgat said the ICC understood the players’ concerns, but also said that they have to adhere to the WADA code.
“The anti-doping measures were absolutely necessary, quite like the security checks that are done at all airports these days,” Lorgat told Cricinfo. “During the trial period, the overwhelming majority of players from all countries, except India, submitted whereabouts information,” Lorgat added.
“I understand and appreciate that there will be some concerns and reservations from all players and I am sure they feel that those concerns are genuine. However, the ICC has spent the past few months addressing all of those concerns, and, having taken great care to do so, we see no further reason to delay the full implementation of the requirements specified by the WADA Code.” Lorgat, however, conceded that players would not be forthcoming while revealing personal information.
“I understand that submitting details of your whereabouts in advance is not something everyone would want to do and I understand the concerns of players and their associations who may consider such a move an infringement of their private space,” Lorgat said.
Meanwhile, the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) has demanded that either ICC penalise Indian players, who missed the deadline to submit the WADA anti-doping form because of its ‘ whereabouts clause’, or withdraw the code.
Indian players have missed the July 31 deadline for submitting the information, voicing concerns about the security and practicality aspects associated with the WADA compliant code.
As many as 11 Indian players are awaiting a meeting between the ICC and BCCI on Sunday to get their concerns addressed on the norms, which prescribe severe penalties in case of default.
“From a player association perspective, if the Indian players do not have to comply with the whereabouts provision or don’t suffer penalties for not filing such information, then we will certainly be ensuring that ICC lift this obligation from the rest of the teams,” FICA Chief Executive Tim May was quoted as saying by Cricinfo.
–Agencies