Setback for Canadian cricket (Image: X)
The International Cricket Council has suspended funding for Cricket Canada for the next six months due to governance concerns, according to a report by ESPNcricinfo. The move deals a major financial blow to the Affiliate Members Board of Directors, which relies heavily on ICC funding for its operations.Despite the suspension, Cricket Canada’s ongoing cricket activities, including national team programs and high-performance operations, are not expected to be immediately impacted.Financial records for the year ending 2024 showed ICC distributions accounted for nearly 63 per cent of Cricket Canada’s total revenue. Of the organization’s total income of C$5.7 million, approximately C$3.6 million came directly from ICC support.While the ICC has not publicly detailed the precise governance concerns behind the decision, recent reports from the Canadian Fifth Estate investigative program have alleged several breaches relating to governance standards, financial oversight and management performance within the board.The suspension comes during a turbulent phase for Cricket Canada, which has been surrounded by numerous controversies over the past year.
One of the major ongoing investigations involves Canada’s match against the New Zealand national cricket team during the recent ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which is currently being examined by the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU).In another controversy, former Canada coach Khurram Chauhan allegedly claimed in a leaked phone recording that former senior board officials pressured him to select specific players for the national team.
The recording also reportedly contained allegations linked to attempted corruption at matches.Last month, in a statement to ESPNcricinfo about the corruption investigation, Andrew Ephgrave, interim head of the ICC’s anti-integrity unit, said: “The ICC considers governance matters relating to members of the ICC, as they fall within its jurisdiction, in accordance with the ICC’s standard constitutional processes.”The ICC’s decision came shortly after Cricket Canada held its annual general meeting on May 9-10, where the board announced several reforms as part of what it described as an “ongoing governance transformation initiative.” During the meeting, a new board of directors consisting of nine members was elected.