St.John's, (Antigua), Feb 3: The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has stated that it has not forced anyone to retire.

The declaration was made against the background of statements made by Shivnarine Chanderpaul that WICB forced him to retire or else he would not be granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) that would allow him to participate in the Masters Champions League set for India in mid-February, report CMC.

"I was given a No Objection Certificate by the WICB with a clause in it that I retire on the 23rd. If I didn't announce my retirement they would have taken it back," Chanderpaul said on Tuesday from Dubai.

The WICB, in its statement on Tuesday refuted the Guyanese batsman's assertion.

Four No Objection Certificates issued were recently for players to participate in the Masters Champions League. The league is open to players who have retired from international cricket.

IANS