WICB: Paying Players 'Top Priority'

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has confirmed our report that it was in breach of its contractual obligations to pay match fees and sponsorship shares to cricketers.

Faced with a demand for payment issued by the players' association, the board said it will start issuing payments on November 17 and "expects to conclude the process within the next month if not before."

"The Board is determined to meet all its outstanding commitments to the players as it views these payments as its top priority," the WICB said in a statement.

Interestingly, every member of the board's secretariat staff and consultants have been paid their salaries on time.

The WICB also conceded it was not the first time it was tardy in paying what is due to the players.

"The Board has always honoured its obligations to the players even though there have been occasions when such payments have been delayed, as is the case on this occasion and appreciates the patience and understanding of the players with respect to the settling of financial arrangements," the board added.

As previously reported, the WICB is waiting for the first drawdown on a new loan from a Barbados bank to deal with its ongoing cash flow crisis.

There are six contractual obligations that have not yet been met by the WICB:

• England in the West Indies, 2004 - 10% match fees withheld to cover potential fines or disciplinary actions.

• West Indies in England, 2004 - 10% match fees withheld to cover potential fines or disciplinary actions.

• West Indies in England, 2004 - Match fees for the 3rd and 4th Tests.

• West Indies in England, 2004 - Match fees for seven (7) one day internationals in the NatWest series.

• West Indies in England, 2004 - Sponsorship split from Sandals Resorts to cover the Tests and NatWest ODI tournament.

• ICC Champions Trophy, 2004 - Sponsorship share from LNM Group, the team's sponsor.