The South African government takes over cricket and suspends Cricket South Africa, putting the national team in jeopardy.
Amid several controversies and issues of racism within the cricket board, South Africa’s Olympic body has taken control of cricket by suspending CSA to investigate for a month. This move, though helpful to the organization, may actually disqualify the national team into participating in international matches.
Based on the ICC’s policies, it is considered foul if the government interferes with the sport. Such a move by a government can cause a national team to be disqualified on an international level.
A letter to the CSA from the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) read, ‘The CSA board and those senior executives who serve ex-officio on the board (the company secretary, the acting CEO, the CFO and the COO) are directed to step aside from the administration of CSA on full pay’.
‘This has manifestly caused great concern and consternation amongst your own members, former and current members of the national team of the Proteas, stakeholders, sponsors, and members of the cricket-loving public. There can be no doubt that this has caused cricket to lose the trust and confidence of members of the public, stakeholders, sponsors and the players represented by SACA (the South African Cricketers' Association). All this has brought cricket into disrepute’, the letter added.
The decision of the SASCOC has been approved with a unanimous decision from its members. Originally, the main role of the SASCOC is to govern the relationship between the state and sports federation, except for the CSA who owns the jurisdiction over cricket. So far, the CSA and the ICC have yet to release their official comments about the situation. To further understand how cricket is played, visit Betwala.
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