The ICC is to proceed with the scheduled meeting of its Referees Commission in late February in South Africa, despite the Board of Control in India's (BCCI) decision to 'refrain from participating in the Commission in any form or manner'.

The decision was confirmed by ICC President Malcolm Gray after the ICC declined the BCCI's latest proposal to either put the Commission on hold until after the ICC Executive Board meeting in March, or alternatively, to enlarge the size of the panel from three to 10 people.

"The Referees Commission was a central part of the agreement between the ICC and the BCCI to save the India v England Test match in Mohali. Having agreed to this detailed and costly process the ICC is extremely disappointed that the BCCI will not accept the invitation to express its strong views on these issues to the Commission," said Malcolm Gray.

"Given BCCI's refusal to participate in the Commission in any form or manner, one alternative open to ICC would be to disband the Commission. There are, however, a number of important issues that require immediate resolution. After careful consideration we have rejected that course and decided that the Commission should be convened and deliver its findings to the Executive Board, as agreed with the BCCI. ICC made a commitment to BCCI and the public to investigate these matters and we are obliged to meet that commitment," explained Mr Gray.

The Referees Commission has the full support of the ICC, but having consulted extensively and for a period of weeks with the BCCI - ultimately without agreement - the ICC believe it is now time for progress and action.

"On that basis we have confirmed with Justice Sachs, Majid Khan and Andrew Hilditch that we would like them to meet as planned in South Africa in February, and to report to the Executive Board meeting on March 15th," confirmed ICC President Gray.

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Mark Harrison
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Email: mark.harrison@icc-cricket.com

Or

David Clarke
ICC Communications
Tel: + 44 (0) 207 266 7914
Email: david.clarke@icc-cricket.com

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