WADA initiates process to make ICC non-compliant over BCCI matters

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has begun the process of making the ICC non-compliant to its revised code for signatories. This move comes after cricket’s apex body failed to bring the BCCI on board for testing Indian cricketers as per the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA).

According to a report on Times of India, a WADA representative was quoted as saying that the ICC’s case will be referred to an independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC) which is scheduled to meet in Lausanne in early 2019. WADA had given the ICC until October 4 to persuade the BCCI to instruct its cricketers to make themselves available to NADA for the collection of samples. But once this date had lapsed, the top body had no alternative but to take action.

TOI also reported that WADA’s international task force had spoken with the CRC about the ICC. If the ICC is disassociated with WADA, it will have 21 days’ time until it receives a notice from the global anti-doping watchdog to challenge the decision in the Court of Arbitration for Sports.

Possibility of cricket as an Olympic sport hampered

Disassociation with WADA would not effect the ICC’s ability to host its various global tournaments such as the World Cup and the World T20, but it could severely hamper cricket’s attempt to become an Olympic sport. The ICC’s working group, headed by its COO Iain Higgins has been in correspondence with the CEOs of the international cricket boards. All full members of the ICC have complied barring India and Afghanistan.

TOI quoted sources as saying that the Afghanistan Cricket Board has said that it is not being able to regulate its cricketers, with the blame falling on poor infrastructure. Other sources mentioned that the BCCI would not affiliate with NADA.

According to the report, the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) evaded the ICC’s directive by passing it on to state associations, saying they should take a call on what to do instead.  The BCCI however maintains that the private agency which has been dealing with enforcing doping regulations is compliant with all of WADA’s norms.

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