Joint Statement by Australian Cricket Board and Australian Cricketers' Association: ACB and ACA to seek arbitration on suspended players issue

The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) and the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) are to seek independent, binding arbitration of a disputed interpretation they hold about whether suspended players can play in charity and testimonial cricket games.

The ACB interpretation of the ACB/ACA Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which governs the relationship between the ACB, ACA and contracted players, is that players suspended under the ACB Anti-Doping Policy cannot play in any organised cricket games, including charity and testimonial games.

The ACA interpretation is that suspended players can play in bona fide charity and testimonial games.

The ACB/ACA disagreement arose after ACB Directors decided at a Board meeting last weekend that Shane Warne should not play charity or testimonial games while currently suspended.

The Board did approve other activity while Warne is suspended, including training with club, state and national teams; taking part in coaching and promotional clinics, school promotions, junior development programs and working as a media commentator.

The ACB and ACA have agreed to seek an independent arbitrator who, once appointed, would determine the arbitration process and timing. The ACB and ACA are discussing approaching the Law Institute of Victoria post-Easter for a recommendation on suitable arbitrators.

The ACB and ACA have agreed to not comment publicly until resolution of the issue.