Cricket South Africa rejects SA Olympics Committee's bid to sideline beleaguered board

SASCOC chief said that intervention was necessary to investigate board's conduct.

As the proceedings in the South African cricket get murkier by the passing second, the country’s cricket board has rejected a bid from the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) to suspend the current board and take over the workings, until a task team investigates the conduct.

SASCOC told Reuters on Thursday night that the embattled board of CSA was asked to step aside after, among other things, failing to share a damning report that led to the sacking of former chief executive Thabang Moroe some nine months after he was first suspended.

SASCOC is the macro-body that oversees the sport in South Africa and has the power to rein in its federations, of which CSA is one if deemed to be acting improperly.

It also follows heavy criticism coming from the sponsors and national team players with the latter accusing the board of "self-interest" in failing to deal sufficiently with the matters of the report, and the postponement of an Annual General Meeting scheduled for Sept. 5, which was to choose a new president after Chris Nenzani’s resignation.

South Africa face potential suspension after Olympic body removes CSA board

"CSA 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 said in a statement on Friday.

"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."

SASCOC acting chief executive Ravi Govender told Reuters that intrusion was required for a thorough investigation of the board’s conduct. "We are deeply concerned about the issues that have been permeating around CSA recently. We met with the board and requested sight of the elusive forensic report, which has not been forthcoming,” Govender said.

"The International Cricket Council has also expressed some concerns (about the running of CSA) and we believe our decision is warranted, and that it will be embraced by the ICC," he added.

He also confirmed to Reuters that the CSA board have requested to meet SASCOC on Monday to discuss the matter further, and says for now their resolution stands.

(Reuters inputs)