WIPA responds to Tony Cozier article

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Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago - The West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) has responded to an article written by Tony Cozier, which appeared in the Sunday’s Express (Trinidad and Tobago) of April 18, 2010.

Cozier in his report stated that “their (WIPA’s) lawyers, acting on behalf of Pollard who is not contracted to the WICB, would sue for loss of earnings”.

WIPA laments this statement for the following reasons:

Mr. Cozier, did not contact WIPA to clarify the information despite the fact that WIPA’s doors and phone lines are open to all who wish to obtain information and despite WIPA’s requests in the past to Mr. Cozier to be afforded an opportunity to present its position so that reports are balanced and fair;

If Mr. Cozier had contacted WIPA he would have been told and would have seen correspondence which shows that WIPA never made such a statement;

The statement could create an impression that Mr Pollard is possibly being set up for crucifixion/ being painted in an unfavourable light so that when he is excluded in the future the public will be of the opinion that he deserves it because he is a troublemaker;

Mr. Cozier does not appear to appreciate the negative impact that such articles could have on the integrity of the organization and the future of the players.

WIPA calls on Mr. Cozier to release the contents of the WIPA letter to the WICB from which his information is said to be derived and which he purportedly has in his possession.

WIPA takes this opportunity to clear the air on this issue by informing the public, as it has informed the WICB that it is awaiting the opinion of its legal advisers and will revert to it on this issue when it receives that opinion.