Cricket West Indies have admitted liability in a case filed against them by former West Indies coach Phil Simmons for unfair dismissal from his job.

Simmons, who is now the head coach of Afghanistan, is understood to have claimed damages after he was sacked in September 2016 for having complained about “interference from outside” in the team selection process.

“CWI never denied liability in the Phil Simmons’ dismissal affair for no other reason than to ensure an amicable resolution in the interest of West Indies Cricket,” a release on the CWI website read.

“The negotiations with the former coach, Phil Simmons, and his representatives are ongoing. While we have a hearing date for March 26, 2019, we are hoping to reach a settlement soon.”

The board has also denied allegations of the CWI president Dave Cameron recommending a raise in his stipend – costs incurred from monthly expenses – and stated that the raise was instead recommended by the Compensation Committee comprising of the chairman Anand Kalladeen and independent directors, Jennifer Nero and Milton Samuda.

“In March 2018 the Committee reported to the Board of Directors and recommended an increase of stipends for all directors, including the President and Vice President,” the release read.

“The recommendation was for a monthly stipend as follows: US$4,000 to the President, US$2,000 to the Vice President, US$700 to all other Directors.

“Said increase is not effective unless and until approved by Ordinary Resolution at an Annual General Meeting. At no time did the President recommend an increase for himself.”

Leeward Islands made a bizarre move to stop Barbados from overtaking them in the WICB Regional Tournament.

However, it all went wrong soon ?https://t.co/rlMRThsGe3

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) March 16, 2019

Cameron is standing for re-election for the post of the president on March 24 and will be contesting against Ricky Skerritt, a former West Indies team manager, who had alleged that Cameron’s tenure had caused “significant damage” to the board’s finances and reputation.

Cameron had earlier attacked Skerritt, calling the latter’s four-year stint as team manager a “period of turmoil”.

“If Cameron wants to talk about turmoil, perhaps he can explain why former head coaches, Ottis Gibson, Phil Simmons, and the several others who Cameron hastily and summarily dismissed, from both the men’s and women’s teams, have collectively cost CWI well over US $1m,” Skerritt had alleged.

“These tumultuous instances have caused significant damage to the CWI reputation, commercial health, and team performance. Cameron really should not allow the subject of ‘turmoil’ to become the feature of this campaign. Cameron’s pettiness and negativity will not distract us from our forward-looking election campaign.”