Cricket South Africa faces potential ban from ICC after intervention from sports minister

Cricket South Africa has been in crisis for many months now. In September 2020, CSA was in crisis after suspension by SASCOC (South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee). The move came after Cricket South Africa was dogged by charges of racism, payment row and corruption charges. The firing of their CEO Thabang Moroe was the first in the series of administrative crisis to dog Cricket South Africa. The administrative crisis deepened when CEO Chris Nenzani also resigned as well as Jacques Faul. Thus, on charges of ‘alleged maladministration and malpractices’, Cricket South Africa has been suspended.

Now, the situation has reached a tipping point. So much so, that South Africa’s tour of West Indies in June is in doubt. It is damaging as to there might be no South Africa national team. In a latest report on ESPNCricinfo, South Africa sports minister Nathi Mthethwa will step in. According to the National Sports and Recreation Act, Mthethwa can withdraw funding and no longer officially recognise CSA as the governing body of cricket. The reason – for failing to agree on a Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI) that will set out the blueprint for a majority independent board.

What does this mean?

This development is massive. When Zimbabwe Cricket was having interference from the Government, the ICC suspended them. The same happened with Nepal as well. The move means CSA will no longer be legally be able to run cricket in this country. The national men’s, women’s and age-group teams will not be allowed to wear the Protea badge. They will not be able to claim to represent South Africa in international competition.

This means that South Africa’s tour to the West Indies is in jeopardy. It also means that potentially, there will be no participation by a South Africa team in ICC events like the Women’s World Cup, World T20 and Under-19 events.

What actually transpired?

The 14-member interim council was going to endorse the MOI on April 17. Six provincial presidents voted for it. Five went against it and three abstained. A majority of 75 percent was needed to ratify the MOI. However, Mthethwa said he will write to the International Cricket Council. The sports minister has stated that an intervention is needed and that it does not go against the code.

This move will also impact CSA’s renegotiation of TV rights with Supersport. Already, Momentum has withdrawn as the sponsor of the men’s team but is being part of the women’s cricket team. 

This latest move already deepens the crisis in Cricket South Africa. If the ICC does not agree with the Sports Minister intervention and explanation, then South Africa could once again be banned from cricket. In 1970, Apartheid policies saw the country banned. Now, it is the issues of corruption, malpractises and racism.