Former South Africa-born England cricketer Kevin Pietersen wasn’t pleased with the decision of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) taking the charge of the Cricket South Africa (CSA), saying “what’s happening to cricket in South Africa is catastrophic”.
The SASCOC has suspended the CSA for a period of one month citing “to remove the negativity and governance issues around the board” while taking the charge of the cricket in the country.
The SASCOC also launched an investigation into “many instances of maladministration and malpractice” at CSA which “has brought cricket into disrepute” and instructed the board and its senior executives including acting CEO Kugandrie Govender to step aside.
The decision meant no one from the board would be in charge of the operational running of cricket in South Africa during the period of investigation.
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Notably, the CSA has been in news for all the bad reasons in the recent past, facing allegations of corruption and racial discrimination following a damning report on conduct within the organization that led to the dismissal of chief executive Thabang Moroe in August only after a 9-month appointment.
Reacting to the latest crisis at CSA, Pietersen has expressed his displeasure at the event on Twitter, linking the crisis in South African cricket to a “horror show” that is finishing the game in the country.
On Friday (September 11), Pietersen expressed concern over the chaos by saying: “Goodness me! What's happening to cricket in SA is catastrophic.”
The former cricketer further added, “I feel so sorry for the many amazing people that work in that organization and to all the players that are suffering at the hands of this disaster. Sport unites SA! This horror show is finishing cricket.”
However, the CSA doesn’t agree with the decision taken by the SASCOC and is taking legal advice after its board and senior executives were instructed to step aside by the SASCOC.
CSA said in a statement: “Cricket South Africa (CSA) has received the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee's (SASCOC) communication pertaining to various resolutions which SASCOC has passed in relation to CSA. 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.”
The statement further added: “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. The Members' Council and the Directors of the Board of CSA will hold a joint workshop this weekend to discuss critical matters.”
(With ANI Inputs)
