ICC, BCCI may discuss doping issue over tele-conference

New Delhi:

The International Cricket Council's Executive Board is likely to discuss the BCCI's stand on WADA's anti-doping clause over tele-conference soon to try and break the deadlock on the vexed issue.

India's top cricketers have rejected the 'whereabouts' clause which requires them to furnish details of their location three months in advance for out-of-competition dope tests. They refused to sign the clause claiming it infringes on their privacy and puts their security at risk.

Although the ICC's next Executive Board meeting is scheduled in early October, the game's governing body is keen to get this matter sorted out as early as possible considering that its high-profile tournament Champions Trophy is to be held in September.

The ICC has not yet announced any date for a meeting of its all-powerful Executive Board, but sources indicated that a tele-conference could be held among the Board members to discuss the issue.

The game's governing body has already made it clear that it would look for an acceptable solution to the current situation.

"What both parties are looking for is a practical and mutually acceptable solution to the current situation," ICC Media and Communications Manager Brian Murgatroyd had said on Sunday, shortly after the BCCI's emergency meeting decided to back its players.

"The ICC has noted the decision of the BCCI working committee. The ICC is aware of the issues of concern and it remains confident they can be addressed to everyone?s satisfaction," Murgatroyd said.

It is the ICC's responsibility to ensure that all its affiliated members adhere to WADA's anti-doping code and the fact that cricketers of all the other Test-playing countries have signed the clause has put the apex body in a fix.

If the BCCI sticks to its stand, the ICC may have little option but to renegotiate the clause with the World Anti Doping Agency during the year-end review.

Many top international sportspersons and Federations had initially expressed reservations against the 'whereabouts' clause' but had ultimately signed on the dotted line with WADA saying that there was no other way of catching the drug offenders.

The Federation of International Cricketers Associations (FICA), which represents top cricketers from most of the elite Test-playing nations, has told the ICC that the rules have to be same for all the players.

In other words, if Indian players are exempted from the clause, it should be applicable to all the other cricketers who figure in the International Registered Testing Pool.

The ICC will take up the cause of the Indian cricketers and may try to work out a cricket-specific solution when it raises the issue with WADA.