Thaindian News

Mumbai, Aug 2 (IANS) After India cricket board’s rejection of the controversial “whereabouts” clause of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the International Cricket Council (ICC) board will
now have to find a way forward.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Sunday rejected the controversial anti-doping clause that makes it mandatory for players to make themselves available for out-of-competition tests.

BCCI strongly backed the players, saying that the “whereabouts” clause is an “invasion into the privacy of an individual”.

“Cricket should be free from doping. BCCI does not have any objection to that. However, BCCI felt that players should be tested during the series or during the camps. They cannot be tested when they are not playing cricket,” BCCI president Shashank Manohar said after an emergency meeting of the working committee, which was attended by skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh and ICC officials.

The decision of BCCI puts it on a collision course with the ICC, which is a signatory to WADA’s anti-doping norms.

ICC said that it was aware of the issues of concern and hoped that they can be addressed to everyone’s satisfaction.

“The next step is for this matter to be considered further by the ICC board is to find a way forward. The ICC will make no further comment at this time,” the ICC said in a statement.

WADA’s anti-doping clause requires players to inform the ICC about their exact whereabouts in advance. The code requires players in the testing pool to inform the world cricket governing body through an online form about their whereabouts.

In India, the signing of the code has been delayed as players have objected to the clause.

“We are agreeing with the dope testing code, we are only objecting to the system. The issue is of out-of-competition testing. Our players are ready to be tested but they say they are not in a position to give their whereabouts. We back the players on this,” Manohar said.

“You cannot invade the privacy of individuals. I don’t know what the ICC will do. The implications of this decision would be decided after we write to the ICC. Today, it would be jumping the gun,” he added.

The ICC said that it was grateful to the BCCI and its players for giving their time to try and work through the issues relating to the implementation of the ICC Anti-Doping Code.

“The ICC and the BCCI are committed to a zero-tolerance approach to doping in cricket, something reiterated by Shashank Manohar. What both parties are looking for is a practical and mutually acceptable solution to the current situation,” the ICC said.