South Africa Cricket At Risk of ICC Ban After Government Interference
South African cricket was plunged back into crisis on Sunday when the country’s sports minister said he had “no option” other than to become directly involved in Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) affairs.
South Africa cricket is in major crisis due to the government’s intervention in the sport. They are at risk of facing a ban from International Cricket Council (ICC).
As per the regulations, ICC doesn’t allow government interference and the punishment is an international ban until the cricket body becomes an independent unit.
South Africa’s Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa, on Sunday said that he didn’t have any other option than to get involved in Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) operations. The Minister further said that CSA’s members’ council didn’t act in a proper manner and failed to agree to a new governance structure.
As per report of news.com.au, the 14-member council was expected to endorse a new memorandum of incorporation at a meeting on Saturday, April 17. The same would have provided for an independent chairman and a majority of independent directors. However, only six of the provincial presidents voted in its favour. Even as five were against it, three abstained. A majority of 75 percent was required.
Mthethwa said there had been an agreement between the council and the interim board. The failure to ratify the agreement “can only be interpreted as acting in bad faith.”
According to the statement:
“The minister will be taking the necessary steps required to exercise his rights in terms of the law prescripts next week.”
Under South Africa’s Sports and Recreation Act, the minister is entitled to intervene in “any dispute, alleged mismanagement or other related matter that is likely to bring a sport into disrepute.”
According to the act, the minister can withdraw recognition of CSA and its powers to administer the sport and award national colours.
