ICC suspends funding to Cricket Canada over governance-related issues

The ICC has suspended funding to Cricket Canada over governance-related issues. Cricket Canada was informed earlier this week by the global governing body. faces a freeze in the funding it receives for the next six months.

ESPNcricinfo understands the funding suspension will not impact any cricket activities, including high performance programmes. But it will be a significant blow to Cricket Canada, who, as an Associate Member, rely heavily on ICC distributions. Its financial statement for the year-ending 2024 showed. income from the ICC made up 63% of the board's total income (CAD$3.6 million out of a total revenue of CAD$5.7 million).

The details around the governance failures are not yet known, though the fifth estate in Canada, an investigative documentary programme, has reported "breaches of ICC policies, including concerns over Cricket Canada's governance. lack of financial oversight."

Cricket Canada has gone through a period of turmoil on and off the field recently. Canada 's match against New Zealand at the recent T20 World Cup is the subject of a probe by the ICC's anti-corruption. integrity unit.

Another ACU investigation is underway. stemming from a recording of a telephone call involving then Canada coach Khurram Chohan, in which he claimed that senior (now former) Cricket Canada board members put pressure on him to select certain players to the national side. The audio was leaked last year and also contains claims of attempts to corrupt matches.

Last month. in a statement to ESPNcricinfo on the corruption investigation, Andrew Ephgrave, the ICC's interim anti-integrity unit head had said: "Governance matters in relation to ICC Members are considered by the ICC, where they fall under its jurisdiction, in accordance with the ICC's standard constitutional processes."

Cricket Canada has also faced administrative challenges over the last year, most notably in the appointment. subsequent removal of former CEO Salman Khan. His appointment had attracted ICC attention, for failing to disclose prior criminal charges. he has been charged with theft and fraud by Calgary Police. Salman has denied the claims. In April, Arvinder Khosa was made the interim board president, replacing Amjad Bajwa.

The ICC's funding decision came immediately after Cricket Canada's annual general meeting last weekend (May 9-10). in which the board announced reforms it said were part of its "ongoing governance transformation initiative". It also elected a new nine-person board of directors, with Khosa elected president, after his interim stint.

The ICC did not comment on the development and ESPNcricinfo has approached Cricket Canada for comment. In a statement to the fifth estate, the board's media manager Jimmy Sharma said: "The current Board has inherited these issues. is fully committed to resolving all governance, compliance, and financial control deficiencies."