Port of Spain, Aug 27 (IANS/CMC): The West Indies Players' Association (WIPA) has sued the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) for $20 million for refusing to issue unconditional no objection certificates to players not on retainer contracts with the regional governing body.

Information reaching the CMC Sport Wire indicated that the claim was laid before the Trinidad & Tobago High Court Friday.

Phone calls to WIPA Executive President Dinanath Ramnarine seeking a comment on the matter were unsuccessful, and no comment was forthcoming from the WICB.

WIPA said the WICB's refusal without a guarantee of lost earnings "was unreasonable, oppressive, illegal, contrary to public policy, and constitutes an unlawful restraint of trade".

NOCs are required by players to get exemption from their home board's international commitments to play in foreign leagues.

WIPA is also seeking to have the court rule upon the WICB's refusal to engage WIPA on matters involving its relationship with the Indian Premier League.

The players' association said the WICB's actions in its handling of affairs involving the IPL were "a breach of the fiduciary duty owed to the players".