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The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to stop the funding given to Cricket Canada. The decision comes after reports that governance issues were plaguing the Canadian board.
Earlier this week, the ICC had informed Cricket Canada that its funding would be stopped for the next six months. All member states receive funding from the ICC, but associate countries such as Canada are more dependent on those funds than established full members such as India, Australia or England.
According to reports, the suspension will not affect any daily cricket activities in the country, including any high-performance events.
Cricket Canada under ACU investigation
Prior to this funding freeze, the Canadian team and some of its players were already under investigation by the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU).
Canada’s loss to New Zealand in the T20 World Cup earlier this year is part of the ACU’s ongoing investigation. Another investigation is currently underway into allegations by former coach Khurram Chauhan that senior board members forced him to select certain players.
Former Canadian coach Pubudu Dassanayake also made similar allegations in 2024. He is now the coach of the USA National Cricket Team. Monty Desai is the new head coach of Canada.
The current allegations of governance failure stem from a recent documentary by “The Fifth Estate” – an investigative documentary TV program. The same show had also leaked Chauhan’s call in which he had made allegations.
The show said there were “Breach of ICC policies, including concerns over Cricket Canada’s lack of governance and financial oversight.”
“The Fifth Estate” is run by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).
Turmoil in Cricket Canada’s leadership
In recent times, Cricket Canada’s leadership has come under criticism for the haphazard appointments and removal of some office-bearers.
Former CEO Salman Khan was removed as fast as he was appointed. The ICC had questioned Cricket Canada about his appointment because the board had not disclosed Khan’s previous criminal charges to the global governing body.
In April, Arvinder Khosa was appointed interim chairman of the board. The ICC funding decision comes on the heels of Cricket Canada’s annual general meeting last weekend (May 9-10), at which the board announced reforms it described as part of an “ongoing governance change initiative.” It also elected a new nine-member board of directors, with Khosa elected as chairman after his interim term.
In a statement to “The Fifth Estate”The board’s media manager, Jimmy Sharma, said: “The current board inherits these issues and is fully committed to resolving all governance, compliance and financial control deficiencies.”
ICC ACU chief gave statement
Andrew Effgrave, interim general manager of the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Integrity Unit, released a statement regarding the allegations and the ICC’s response to them, reports ESPN Cricinfo.
“The ACU is aware of the program broadcast by CBC,” he said. “In line with its established operating procedures, the ACU is not in a position to comment on the substance of any allegations contained within.”
“Governance matters in respect of ICC members are considered by the ICC where they fall within its jurisdiction in accordance with the ICC’s standard constitutional procedures.”
“The ICC Anti-Corruption Unit operates across three core functions: intelligence, prevention and education, and investigation. These functions operate concurrently and are implemented wherever there are credible grounds to believe that the integrity of the game may be at risk.”
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