ST JOHN’S, Antigua – The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has discontinued pursuing a disciplinary charge brought against West Indies opener Chris Gayle because it was not made within the correct time frame.
According to the WICB’s Code of Conduct, a charge must be laid against an offender within ten days of the alleged commission of the offence.
On January 11 this year, Gayle made public comments during a post-match interview that were critical of the selection policy of the WICB, when Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo were not selected for the West Indies team that took part in the ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
A charge was later laid against Gayle that he had conducted himself in a manner contrary to Rule 9 of the WICB’s Code of Conduct.
Rule 9 states that “players and team officials shall not make public or media comment which is detrimental to the interests of the game”.
The charge was referred to the Disciplinary Committee of the WICB which comprises: Justice Adrian Saunders (Chairman), Madame Justice Desiree Bernard, Dr Lloyd Barnett, QC, OJ, Desmond Haynes, Jeffrey Dujon and Verlyn Faustin (Secretary to the Committee).
According to a release from the WICB, it came to the attention of the Disciplinary Committee however, that Gayle had previously been the subject of a reprimand for his comments and the charge was served on him outside the required time frame.
In the circumstances, the WICB has accepted the intimation of the Disciplinary Committee that the charge should be discontinued and Gayle has accordingly been so notified. (PR/SAT)
