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How to watch and stream Arsenal vs Leeds United in the Premier League on TV and online in the United States.

Arsenal take on Leeds United in a crucial Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

▶Watch Arsenal vs Leeds United live on Sling TV today!

The hosts are unbeaten in their last 13 meetings with Leeds in all competitions (W11 D2), since a 3-2 home loss in May 2003 that ended the Gunners' title bid that season. They have won their last six Premier League games, their joint-longest such run under Mikel Arteta, and will hope to extend that to get a firmer grip at the top of the table.

Meanwhile, Leeds have won just two of their 23 Premier League games against the league leaders (D9 L12), though both victories came away from home (v Middlesbrough in August 2000 and Man City in April 2021). The Whites are in the 14th spot with 26 points, just two outside the drop zone and will be desperate to stage an upset in north London.

GOAL brings you details on how to watch the game on TV in the U.S. as well as how to stream live online.

(C)Getty ImagesKick-off time

Game:

Arsenal vs Leeds United

Date:

April 1, 2023

Kick-off:

11am ET

Venue:

Emirates Stadium

The game is scheduled for April 1, at Emirates Stadium. It will kick off at 11am ET in the U.S.

AdvertisementGettyHow to watch Arsenal vs Leeds United on TV & live stream online

In theUnited States (US), the game will be broadcasted on theUSA NetworkandUNIVERSOand can be live-streamed onSling TVandNBC Sports app/website.

Country TV Channel Live stream

USUSA Network, UNIVERSOSling TV, NBC Sports app/website.Check out GOAL's Soccer on US TV guideTeam news & squads

Arsenal team news

Arsenal have a few injury concerns going into this fixture as they are certainly going to miss Mohamed Elneny, Eddie Nketiah and Takehiro Tomiyasu. Meanwhile, Kieran Tierney and Martin Odegaard remain doubtful after they picked up knocks during the international break.

Arsenal are also sweating over the fitness of William Saliba and Thomas Partey, as the latter missed Ghana's draw with Angola on Monday.

Position

Players

Goalkeepers

Ramsdale, Turner.

Defenders

Gabriel, Kiwior, Holding, Zinchenko, White.

Midfielders

Jorginho, Xhaka, Smith Rowe, Vieira.

Forwards

Martinelli, Trossard, Saka, Nelson, Jesus.

Leeds United team news

Wilfried Gnonto (ankle) and defender Maximilian Wober (thigh) will miss the trip to Emirates Stadium after getting injured during the international break.

While Tyler Adams, Stuart Dallas and Adam Forshaw are long-term absentees.

Position Players

Goalkeepers:Meslier, Klaesson, Robles. Defenders:Koch, Cooper, Strujik, Firpo, Kristensen, Ayling. Midfielders: Roca, McKennie, Aaronson, Greenwood, Bogusz. Forwards: Harrison, Sinisterra, Summervile, Rutter, Bamford, Rodrigo. Head-to-head recordDateResultCompetition16/10/2022Leeds United 0-1 ArsenalPremier League8/05/2022Arsenal 0-1 Leeds UnitedPremier League18/12/2021Leeds United 1-4 ArsenalPremier League27/10/2021Arsenal 2-0 Leeds UnitedLeague Cup14/02/2021Arsenal 4-2 Leeds UnitedPremier League

The two teams have faced each other 110 times so far with Arsenal winning on 46 occasions, Leeds 38 times, and the rest have been draws. In their last five meetings, the Gunners have won each one of them.

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Getty ImagesUseful linksArsenal team pageLeeds United team pageLive soccer on U.S. TV

Bangladesh Cricket Board’s disciplinary committee has turned down Shahadat Hossain’s appeal to play in this season’s Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League

Mohammad Isam16-Apr-2016The Bangladesh Cricket Board’s disciplinary committee has turned down Shahadat Hossain’s appeal to play in this season’s Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League.Shahadat was temporarily suspended by the BCB in September 2015 after the Dhaka police registered a case against him and his wife on charges of assaulting their housemaid under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act. They were arrested on October 5, but were later granted bail in December.ESPNcricinfo has learned from some of the board’s policy-makers that many in the BCB were not keen on revoking Shahadat’s suspension until he was cleared by the court, as they felt that it would set a bad precedent.Shahadat was initially kept in the B+ category in the Dhaka Premier League’s roster subject to BCB’s withdrawal of the suspension. On Saturday, AJM Nasir Uddin, the disciplinary committee chairman, confirmed that Shahadat’s suspension stood unless the court dismissed the case.”Shahadat Hossain had made an appeal, but we couldn’t take it because of some legal complications,” Nasir said. “His appeal stated that he had settled with the plaintiff. He presented to us a court direction which says that charges are pending in this case. It also said that the court’s decision is needless in regard to whether Shahadat should be allowed to play in the Dhaka Premier League or not.”As a result, we can’t consider this matter at this time. If the court had given a more clear-cut directive or it received his settlement with the plaintiff, we could have considered him. So we will wait for court’s further directive in this matter.”On Saturday morning, Shahadat turned up at the National Cricket Academy in Mirpur for training with his club Mohammaden Sporting, and was confident of the BCB withdrawing his suspension.

India is set to host a day-night Test during New Zealand’s visit later this year

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Apr-20163:16

Dew factor major hindrance for day-night Tests in India

India is set to host a day-night Test during New Zealand’s visit later this year. Anurag Thakur, the BCCI secretary, said on Thursday that the BCCI would use the pink Kookaburra ball for the Test match.”We have decided that we will play one day-night Test match with pink ball against New Zealand later this year,” Thakur said. “Before that, Duleep Trophy will act as a dress rehearsal for the day-night Test match.”There have been widespread concerns over the pink Kookaburra – particularly its durability and its visibility – and the Adelaide Test last November, the first ever to be played under floodlights, was played on a grassier-than-normal surface to ensure the ball lasted 80 overs. South Africa’s players, including their Test captain AB de Villiers, have expressed their reluctance to play a day-night Test during their 2016-17 tour of Australia.The pink ball is yet to be trialled in India, where dew could be a concern under lights, and Thakur said the Duleep Trophy would serve as a trial run before the Test.”While we have not zeroed in on the venue, there are lots of factors that need to be taken into account,” Thakur said. “Things like dew factor, how the spinners bowl with the pink Kookaburra on Indian pitches. These things we will get an idea [of] during the Duleep Trophy.”Given the need for India’s players to acclimatise to playing with the pink ball, it is expected that all the major names from the Test team will feature in the Duleep Trophy.SG manufactures the red ball normally used in India’s Test matches. Thakur said a pink SG could be a possibility in the future. “We may ask SG to manufacture pink balls later but that has to be of the quality of pink balls that Kookaburra produces.”

Mohammad Shahzad bulldozed 75 off 34 balls to spearhead Afghanistan’s third successive victory in the World T20 qualifier, after beating Scotland by 37 runs

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Jul-2015
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsMohammad Shahzad smashed seven sixes and five fours in his 75•ICC/Donald MacLeodMohammad Shahzad bulldozed his way to 75 off 36 balls to spearhead Afghanistan’s third successive victory in the World T20 qualifier. While their celebrations were buoyant – the fans at the Grange leapt onto the field, flags in tow for handshakes and selfies – hosts Scotland were left in the slipstream with two losses in two days and one big problem – their bowling. “We couldn’t keep the boundary count down to where we would have liked,” their captain Preston Mommsen said. As mild a telling off as can be considering they took the brunt of 17 sixes and nine fours.Afghanistan’s 210 – their highest total in T20 cricket – was built on their highest partnership in T20 cricket. Shahzad and captain Asghar Stanikzai ransacked 110 in 63 balls for the second wicket to deflate a bowling attack that appeared rather shocked. Poor Mark Watt, all of 18 years old and bowling innocuous left-arm spin, was spanked for four sixes in his first, and the third, over of the day. All of them courtesy the bullish Shahzad. The fuse was lit.The explosion looked like this: 6 off 9 became 30 off 15 which became 50 of 26 and eventually finished at 75 off 36 with seven sixes and five fours. By the time Watt was forced out of the attack – 2-0-41-0 – Afghanistan had reached 101 for 1 in the ninth over. It is difficult for a bowler to restore parity after a batsman gets as much momentum. Especially when they are 130 kph medium-pacers and finger spinners low on experience.Shahzad, who averages 49 against Scotland and is the highest scorer in World T20 qualifier history with 867 runs from 27 matches, ran down the pitch as if his intent was to whack the bowler himself, not so much the ball. But when the seamers Alasdair Evans and Safyaan Sharif kept it full and he was asked to take only one step forward to the ball, he did look suspect.Scotland bowled only five balls on a fuller length at him, and none of them were on or outside off. They fed that big swing into the leg side and Shahzad tucked in to the tune of 45 runs. The only bowler who had any measure of control against him, and the rest of the line-up, was offspinner Michael Leask who used the around-the-wicket angle and variations of pace and length to ensure he wasn’t predictable.Scotland did create a chance when Shahzad was dismissed in the 12th over, and his partner Stanikzai who contributed only 33 runs to the 110 they added together, fell two balls later. Afghanistan flailed for a little while – only 35 runs in five overs – until Najibullah Zadran and Mohammad Nabi found their groove – 63 runs in the last four overs to push the total past 200.With a required rate that was over 10 before a ball was bowled, Scotland needed a big innings. Although they didn’t get that, they compensated by stringing meaningful partnerships together. Matthew Cross, with a hefty preference for slog sweeps, added 50 off 31 balls with Richie Berrington. Then Mommsen smashed 41 of the 51 runs that the sixth wicket stand provided for Scotland to keep a few people guessing. He carved 22 runs in four balls in the 15th over but that still left 70 needed off the final 30 balls. Against possibly the best bowling attack in the tournament, that is a no-contest.Mohammad Nabi with his crafty use of flight and Hamid Hassan with his bulls-eye yorkers took six wickets between them to keep them comfortably atop the Group B table. Although there is concern around Hassan’s fitness. Towards the end of his spell, he appeared to have suffered an injury and limped off the field after bowling the 19th over.

Kansas City Current have dedicated their new press box to the late Grant Wahl, who was a KC native and a trailblazer in American soccer coverage.

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Current set to open new stadium in 2024Dedicate new press box to Grant WahlAmerican journalist passed during 2022 World CupWHAT HAPPENED?

A group gathered at the soon-to-be-open CKPC Stadium on Thursday for the dedication of at the Current's new grounds. The late journalist was beyond an influential figure in American soccer – both men's and women's – but also a dedicated fan of the game, who helped popularize the sport across the world. Wahl's memory will forever be remembered now with the beautiful tribute, to what his brother, Eric Wahl, believes will be a place of 'inspiration' for future journalists.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Grant passed in Qatar during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, suffering an aortic aneurysm during the quarterfinal match between Argentina and Netherlands. Following his passing, U.S. soccer released the following statement: "The entire US soccer family is heartbroken to learn that we have lost Grant Wahl. Fans of soccer and journalism of the highest quality knew we could always count on Grant to deliver insightful and entertaining stories about our game and its major protagonists: teams, players, coaches and the many personalities that make soccer unlike any sport.

"Here in the United States, Grant's passion for soccer and commitment to elevating its profile across our sporting landscape played a major role in helping to drive interest in, and respect for, our beautiful game. "As important, Grant's belief in the power of the game to advance human rights was, and will remain, an inspiration to all. "Grant made soccer his life's work, and we are devastated that he and his brilliant writing will no longer be with us."

Now, nearly one year later, the Current are dedicating their new home to the brilliant and forever influential Wahl.

WHAT CURRENT CO-OWNERS ANGIE & CHRIS LONG SAID

Speaking to the KC Star, Angie Long said: “His life’s work was growing this game in this country, and I don’t think there’s any more physical manifestation of it than this,” said Long, who attended High School with Wahl. “And for a woman’s team, as well, which he was equally as passionate about.”

“We hope this also inspires others to be as unselfish and as honest and to have as much foresight as he did,” added Long. “Because I think when this country didn’t know very much about soccer, Grant did. And when it wasn’t a thing to support female athletes and to really believe in and push for equality in the game, Grant did. He was a leader in so many ways.”

In a press release, Long added: “Grant was one of the first people we consulted with the idea of founding an NWSL team in Kansas City. His grounded advice, deep understanding of the soccer ecosystem, connections and thoughtful suggestions were critical ingredients to our decision to launch a new team on an unprecedented timeframe.”

“Giving us even more conviction around our facilities vision, Grant was particularly drawn to the idea of having the first stadium built for a women’s professional team right in his hometown of Kansas City,” said co-owner and founder Chris Long. “The Kansas City Current will always be grateful to Grant for his pivotal role in the launch of the Club.”

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WHAT WAHL'S FAMILY SAID

In a press release, Wahl's brother Eric said: “Grant and I were born and raised here in Kansas City and our lives were shaped by the sports culture in this region, but more specifically, by those who told those stories through the media. This is a great honor to our family. I hope that those journalists that come through this press box will see Grant’s dedication to telling the personal, challenging and compelling stories of this sport and its athletes, then seek to celebrate and elevate them through stories he would be proud to hear.”

Wahl's wife, Dr. Celine Gounder, added: “My family and I are thankful that my husband Grant Wahl is being recognized in this way. It is my hope that future generations of sports journalists sitting in this press box will be inspired to carry on Grant's legacy: holding those in power to account, advocating for human rights and equity and understanding that ‘stick to sports’ is a false mantra. As Ted Lasso said, ‘Soccer is life’. When sports are divorced from everything else in life, they are gutted of their essence and meaning.”

All-rounder Con de Lange and 19-year-old batsman Andrew Umeed have been named in Scotland’s 13-man squad for their Intercontinental Cup fixture against Afghanistan, beginning on June 2 in Stirling

ESPNcricinfo staff29-May-2015All-rounder Con de Lange and 19-year-old batsman Andrew Umeed have been named in Scotland’s 13-man squad for their Intercontinental Cup fixture against Afghanistan on June 2 in Stirling, which will host its maiden first-class match.De Lange, the 34-year old left-arm spinner, played most of his first-class cricket in South Africa, but is eligible for his first Scotland cap after completing a four-year residency. Umeed’s inclusion comes on the heels of his twin half-centuries for Scotland XI in their crushing defeat of UAE.Scotland’s squad also features the Durham duo of Calum MacLeod and Gavin Main, while Preston Mommsen, who scored a hundred against UAE, will lead the side. They will, however, be without the services of Kyle Coetzer, Josh Davey, Matt Machan, Ruaidhri Smith and Rob Taylor.”This is the first step in an exciting opportunity to push our case for Test status,” head coach Grant Bradburn said. “We’ve got an exciting mix of youth and experience in our side and we will be looking to put the opposition under pressure in our home conditions at Stirling, which we know well.”Scotland squad: Preston Mommsen (capt), Richie Berrington, Matthew Cross, Freddie Coleman, Con de Lange, Alasdair Evans, Hamish Gardiner, Michael Leask, Calum MacLeod, Gavin Main, Safyaan Sharif, Andrew Umeed, Mark Watt.

Louis Rees-Zammit admits to being “obsessed” with Cristiano Ronaldo, which means the famous ‘Siuuu’ celebration could soon be gracing NFL matches.

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Welsh star chasing American dreamBig fan of Portuguese forwardConfident he can break into NFLWHAT HAPPENED?

Former Wales rugby international Rees-Zammit, who has also represented the British and Irish Lions, has stepped out of a professional “bubble” in order to go chasing an American dream. The 23-year-old shocked Gloucester supporters when announcing that he would be switching focus to a potential NFL career.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT REES-ZAMMIT SAID

He is part of the NFL’s international player pathway and is hoping to break out Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal celebration in peace at some stage in the near future, having attracted criticism for doing just that at the 2023 Rugby World Cup against Portugal. Rees-Zammit has told : “There is a bubble in rugby, you can’t do certain things, but I am who I am. Like I’m absolutely obsessed with Ronaldo. When I did that celebration, I did it because I love Ronaldo. I didn’t want to offend anyone. You see loads of footballers doing that, but if you do it in rugby, you get slammed. I try not to look at the haters and all the criticism I get. It’s just head down and get on with the job.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Rees-Zammit is determined to make a success of his second sporting career, adding on his goals for the immediate and long-term future: “In the next five years I want to be a Super Bowl champ. These are very much dreams but I’m desperate for these things to happen. And I want to be an inspiration for anyone coming through the IPP, and any international player that wants to get through to the NFL. Training is completely different. You're using completely different muscles that you wouldn't use in rugby. Even the soreness is different. I'd probably say the most challenging thing is how much you have to learn. The classroom stuff is full-on. I'm loving learning a completely different sport – the rules, the positions, special teams.”

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

Rees-Zammit is not the first rugby player to try his luck in American football, and he certainly boasts the speed and strength to suggest that he could thrive on the other side of the Atlantic. In the future England international striker Harry Kane may decide to tread a similar path, with the current Bayern Munich striker having hinted at exploring the option of becoming a kicker for an NFL franchise.

With so many high-rated cards available for both Premier League sides, a Europa League final combined team is something special

Kicking off the first of two all-English club European finals, Arsenal and Chelsea will clash in the Europa League in Baku.

Now that EA Sports has UEFA licensing rights, you can create the Europa League final on FIFA 19 and Goal has previewed the final by creating a combined Arsenal and Chelsea squad on Ultimate Team!

EA/Getty91-rated End of an Era Petr Cech

Kicking off this list, it feels right to include a player who has represented both clubs with Petr Cech. The legendary goalkeeper is retiring after the final, resulting in his amazing End of an Era card.

With 90 diving, 92 reflexes, 89 handling, 80 kicking, and 91 positioning, Cech is incredibly safe and will make plenty of saves to keep you in the game.

AdvertisementEA/Getty86-rated Carniball Hector Bellerin

Next, at right-back, we have Hector Bellerin who has missed most of the season through injury but is still amazing in FIFA 19 thanks to this Carniball card. FIFA fans will be salivating over his 96 pace but Bellerin is no slouch at the back either with 86 interceptions, 84 marking, 87 stand tackle and 89 slide tackle.

The Spaniard is effective going up the wing too with his 89 agility, 85 ball control, 81 dribbling, 89 short passing, 85 crossing and, of course, his 94 acceleration and 97 sprint speed.

87-rated Carniball Antonio Rudiger

Our first Chelsea player on this list, Antonio Rudiger is a solid centre-back that you can always rely on.

The German has reasonable pace thanks to his 84 sprint speed but his stats really shine in the defending and physical areas with 84 interceptions, 83 heading, 85 marking, 90 stand tackle, 87 slide tackle, 86 strength and 97 aggression.

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EA/Getty89-rated Flashback David Luiz

One of the more popular cards on the game, David Luiz's Flashback card is ridiculously good. You won't find many centre-backs who are adept at carrying the ball forward as much as they are at defending.

This card is stacked with outrageous stats including 85 sprint speed, 89 shot power, 84 free-kicks, 85 short passing, 85 long passing, 85 reactions, 90 ball control, 87 composure, 94 interceptions, 89 heading, 87 marking, 92 stand tackle, 91 slide tackle, 89 jumping, 90 strength and 97 aggression.

Luiz is fast, strong and even has that little something special to score a rare goal.

Seam bowler Matt Hobden and part-time spinner Luke Wells mopped up the Hampshire tail to give Sussex a 92-run win after Hampshire gave them a scare at the Ageas Bowl

Press Association15-Apr-2015
ScorecardMatthew Hobden claimed two wickets on the final day•Getty ImagesSeam bowler Matt Hobden and part-time spinner Luke Wells mopped up the Hampshire tail to give Sussex a 92-run win after Hampshire gave them a scare at the Ageas Bowl.Hobden and Wells made light work of Hampshire’s lower order – taking four of the six fourth-day wickets to open their LV= County Championship bid strongly.Hampshire had been given a glimmer of hope after Michael Carberry scored 79 on Tuesday evening but regular wickets stunted the promoted side’s chase.Sussex captain Ed Joyce said: “It is great to get a win under our belts against a really good team. We let ourselves down with the bat in the second innings to give them a sniff of victory but our bowlers throughout the game were outstanding and so was our catching – both of those things helped us win the game.”Needing 197 on the final day Hampshire started poorly, Will Smith adding just one run to the overnight score before he tickled down leg side to a juggling Ben Brown off Hobden.Hobden bagged a second, in a devastating five-over spell from the Hotel End, in his next over when he knocked over Adam Wheater’s stumps. Ajmal Shahzad took his sixth scalp of the match to end an anti-climactic opening hour – Gareth Berg pushing outside off stump to short extra cover.Chris Wood and Ervine put on 109 for the eighth wicket to save Hampshire’s first innings but could not repeat their heroics – Ervine scored 42 but Wells picked up his wicket with his first ball to all but end the hosts’ hopes.Wood played positively, smashing a straight six off Wells as he and Briggs scored a flurry of runs – adding 26 in 5.2 overs together. Wood succumbed for 30 – edging Steve Magoffin behind – before Wells bowled James Tomlinson to wrap up victory.Sussex commanded a first-innings lead of 213 after a fantastic century by Brown and excellent pace bowling, but after skipper Ed Joyce decided not to enforce the follow-on the visitors were skittled for 164.England batsman Luke Wright started his season with impressive fifties in both innings, and Sussex will be enthused by their exciting pace attack who shared 16 of the 20 wickets.Hampshire were given a sniff of a highest-ever home chase at the Ageas Bowl after a fast-paced start but regular wickets let down the home side.Captain Jimmy Adams admitted he and his top-order colleagues under-achieved as his team were twice bowled out for under 300.”It’s not ideal or what we envisioned,” he said. “I thought yesterday guys showed a lot of character and give us a chance of winning the game today – but it wasn’t to be. We missed a big score from one of the top six which was the difference in the two teams.”The 2014 Division Two champions will travel to Warwickshire next week, while Sussex will face the other promoted side Worcestershire at home.

The WICB has said it was left with no option but to “discontinue” the tour of India after the players had informed the board through the team management that they would be returning back to the Caribbean

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Oct-2014’Must fulfil commitments to FTP’ – ICC ExCo chairman

“The situation that has just unfolded, with the West Indian players abandoning the remainder of the Indian tour, is deeply concerning for a game that needs strong cooperation for its survival,” Edwards said. “We are a long way from what has taken place in India and have sought further details so we can understand more as a priority.
“Put simply, players and Boards must fulfil their commitments to the ICC Future Tours Programme.
“Situations such as these have to be avoided at all costs because ultimately those that are affected most are the people that the game depends on so heavily – cricket lovers, key broadcasters and commercial partners.
“For the game’s sake this needs to be resolved as soon as possible.”

The WICB has said it was left with no option but to “discontinue” the tour of India after the players had informed the board through the team management that they would be returning back to the Caribbean.”The WICB clarifies that players in the West Indies Squad currently in India represented by Mr. Dwayne Bravo indicated to the WICB through the West Indies Team Management that the players have taken a decision to withdraw their services for the remainder of the tour of India,” the release said. “As a result of this action by the players the WICB was left with no option but to advise the BCCI that it will no longer be able to provide a West Indies team for the remaining five matches (5th ODI, T20 International, three Test matches).”The WICB directors have called for an emergency board meeting on October 21 in Barbados to decide all the “ramifications” arising of the players pullout and take any actions if necessary. The WICB did not rule out penalising players but such actions would be discussed at Tuesday’s meeting.After the players’ decision had become public as soon as the fourth ODI in Dharamsala had started, BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel issued a bluntly-worded media release, holding the WICB responsible for what he called as an “abrupt” termination of the tour. Patel pointed out that the WICB’s inability to resolve the growing differences between players and West Indies Players Association (WIPA) over the payment dispute lead to such a crisis.Although it had issued a short release earlier in the day stating the WICB did not play any role in the tour being called off, the board issued a ten-point media release late Friday afternoon Caribbean time after an emergency teleconference of its directors. In it the WICB pointed the fingers back at Dwayne Bravo, the West Indies ODI captain, and his players for the “premature” end to the tour.The WICB said it did think of sending a replacement West Indies team, but that was “not considered acceptable” to the BCCI. “The WICB is understanding of this position,” the release said. The WICB took the opportunity to “unreservedly” apologise to the BCCI, the sponsors and the fans both in Caribbean and India.But the BCCI was completely unapologetic as it bared its angst in a second media release, issued late Friday evening India time. The release was once again signed by Patel, where he listed a timeline of the events about the WICB president Dave Cameron’s communications with BCCI. Cameron’s various unfulfilled promises about providing an assurance that the dispute would have no repercussion on the India tour, Patel said, “makes it clear all along that the WICB was withdrawing its team if a resolution was not reached in the issue with the players.”But the WICB defended its position. “The WICB clarifies further that as a result of postulations by the players, the tour was under a cloud of uncertainty from the inception. The WICB, acting prudently, advised the host board – BCCI – of the developments and remained in constant contact to provide updates as to the threat of possible player action.”The WICB also revealed a delegation lead by its CEO Michael Muirhead along with Julian Charles (the cricket committee chairman) and WIPA president and CEO Wavell Hinds was supposed to be in India on October 20 to negotiate with the players. “The WICB regrets that the delegation which was pre-scheduled to travel to India to meet with the players on a number of issues will no longer be able to conduct such meeting at which the intention was also to discuss the concerns of the players.”This meeting was scheduled prior to any issues being raised with the new MOU/CBA and it was intended to acquaint all the parties of how it would roll out. This was necessary as the WICB did not have an opportunity to so do in the Caribbean due to the logistical challenges of assembling all the players prior to departure for the tour of India (some of the players were already in India participating in the Champions League). The WICB CEO, Mr. Muirhead and WIPA President/CEO Mr. Hinds had been in negotiations with regard to finding a mutually agreeable position to allow for the full tour to be completed.”