Arbitrator sets deadline for WICB documents
Arbitration panel chairman Sir David Simmons has given the WICB up to 10:30 am on Monday (May 7) to submit its case and supporting documents."If this time frame is not kept, the panel may have to consider proceeding to determine the issue on such documents as it has at the time," Sir David declared.
The chairman's warning comes on the heels on a strange statement from WICB chief executive Bruce Aanensen that the board had submitted its case to the arbitration panel.
"All the documents have been submitted to him," Aanensen said in a CMC Sports interview this week. "He says he needs time to study them and that he doesn't believe there is any way that they can have this arbitration prior to the team leaving on the eighth."
Not true, according to the arbitration panel. In his letter, Sir David said he has tried to expedite the exchange of documents and even shared WIPA's supporting documents (but not its written submissions) to the WICB's attorneys.
He said he was hoping to have the WICB's documents by Friday (May 4) but a delay was requested. "In the circumstances I must insist that I have WICB's case and documents no later than 10.30 am, Monday, 7 May," he added.
If the WICB is tardy, the arbitration panel said it will be forced to issue a ruling without data to support the board's case.
The panel has been asked to issue a ruling on whether the upcoming tour to England is a part of the ICC's FTP (Future Tours Program).