The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) has explained the “takeover” of Cricket South Africa (CSA).
Earlier in the week, the committee had informed the CSA that it had suspended the board, placing it under administration.
This led to concerns from the International Cricket Council (ICC) who took action against the CSA as the International Cricket governing body has strict policies on interference of its member nations.
The SASCOC sent a letter to the ICC stating that its intervention is not government interference.
“At no stage did Sascoc act under the direction of the Minister of Sport. Sascoc rejects any allegation that the intervention constitutes government interference. In this regard, we are quite prepared to meet with you and discuss this issue to give you the assurance that the Sascoc intervention is a bona fide attempt to assist one of its members who clearly and desperately needs such assistance.”. The SASCOC letter read.
“CSA’s steadfast refusal to make the forensic report available is puzzling, as it appears that they are unable to self-correct if the report is not made available, not only to its own members but also to the media and public at large since it is a public document. CSA (like Sascoc) remains accountable to the public at large since we are public bodies … and are required to act in the public interest.”
CSA did not welcome the move from the SASCOC, as they issued a statement after the suspension of its board as they will be seeking legal advice on the matter.
“CSA, including its Members’ Council, does not agree with the resolution taken by SASCOC and has not had the opportunity to engage with SASCOC on various issues raised in the communication.
“In addition, CSA is taking legal advice regarding the basis on which SASCOC has sought to intervene in the business affairs of CSA. CSA does, however, commit to engaging further with SASCOC to understand its position and to find common ground with it in the best interests of cricket.”
CSA’s Board of Directors and the Members Council are meeting over the weekend, with the latter body hopeful that they will finally be able to interrogate the forensic report. In a statement released earlier, Sascoc called the failure to release the forensic report to the Members Council “irrational and unreasonable”.