WICB: Gayle refused to apologise, faces censure

Tue, Jun 26, '07

 

WICB PRESS RELEASE: The President of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), Mr. Kenneth Gordon, and the Team Manager on the present tour of the U.K., Mr. Michael Findlay met yesterday, Monday June 24, with the W.I. Team Captain for the Limited Overs matches, Christopher Gayle to discuss a statement made by Mr. Gayle in the media criticizing the Board.

Mr. Gayle condemned the Board’s handling of his appointment as Captain and for the travel arrangements of the players joining the team for the Limited Overs games in the U.K. and Ireland.

Mr. Gayle appeared to understand that his statement was ill-advised and has caused unnecessary embarrassment to the WICB. Of greater concern to the Board is that the recent statement made by Mr. Gayle was preceded by an earlier outburst for which he had been cautioned.

The WICB President had promised Mr. Gayle that there would be a meeting between them upon Mr. Gordon’s arrival in London on June 24th where they would talk about matters of concern to Mr. Gayle regarding the Captaincy of the Team.

The President decided that he would wait until he met with Mr. Gayle to discuss the most recent public criticism of the Board by the Captain of the West Indies.

After lengthy discussions during which Mr. Gayle was made aware of the true circumstances surrounding the matters about which he had unfairly attacked the Board, Mr. Gayle was requested to issue a public apology to the WICB for his unfortunate and ill-advised statement. He was allowed some time to consider the request. He subsequently advised the President and team manager that he was not prepared to apologise.

In the circumstances, the WICB has issued a very strongly-worded letter of reprimand to Mr. Gayle advising him that his conduct is totally unacceptable and that the WICB will pursue this matter at the end of the tour.

The WICB is hopeful that notwithstanding his unwillingness to apologise, Mr. Gayle will understand the seriousness of his actions and avoid any further statements or behaviour that will force the WICB to take drastic and immediate action against him.