Umpires threaten boycott of Lucas - Aug 13, 1999

Aug 13, 1999

Umpires threaten boycott of Lucas

Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

MEMBERS of the Jamaica Cricket Umpires Associa-tion are threatening to boycott matches involving Senior Cup champions Lucas due to the poor behaviour of Michael Crew, a member of the club.

In a letter to Roy Paul, Secretary of the Jamaica Cricket Board dated August 10, the JCUA said: "the repeated atrocious behaviour towards umpires by the indifferent and uncouth Michael Crew, who is an ardent supporter of Lucas Cricket Club, has been brought to our attention".

As a result, the managing committee of the JCUA, at its regular meeting on Monday, took the following decisions with immediate effect.

No umpire of the JCUA will participate in any matches involving Lucas Cricket Club until satisfactory disciplinary action is taken against Michael Crew. Mr. Crew must be restrained from displaying such atrocious behaviour at cricket matches, or for carrying out threats he make to umpires, to the extent that umpires' safety can be guaranteed.

Michael Crew should be banned from cricket matches immediately.

At least two uniformed policemen be provided at all Lucas home matches (even if a different venue is used).

Disciplinary action to be taken against any other supporter of Lucas Cricket Club who may behave in an unacceptable and ungentlemanly manner at matches.

Please be advised the managing committee of the JCUA is unprepared to reverse any of the above decisions until written communication with supportive remedial action is received.

When contacted yesterday, the president of the JCUA, Johnny Gayle, said the matter came to a head at Nelson Oval on July 31 and August 1 in the two-day County Championship match between Lucas and JDF.

Gayle said one of the standing umpires, Norman Malcolm, who is a first-class umpire within the association, was abused and threatened by Crew, who some years ago was a member of the Lucas Senior Cup team.

"It has reached a stage where appropriate action must be taken," said Gayle.

However, when contacted, Paul said:

"They cannot make that determination. The board has to investigate the matter and make a decision. The board is dealing with the matter".

Paul, who is also a vice-president of Lucas, said the cricket board would have to contact Lucas in an effort to settle the matter.

George Prescod, Secretary of the JCBC, said he was appalled that it had reached a stage where there is talk of a boycott when a JCBC umpires' sub-committee meeting was scheduled to be held last night.

He declined to say more.

Lucas is scheduled to play Melbourne at Nelson Oval this weekend in round three of the County Championships.

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