ZIMBABWE ISSUE LED TO SPEED DEPARTURE
Disagreements over the issue of Zimbabwe led to Malcolm Speed not completing his full tenure as chief executive of the International Cricket Council, the ICC's president-elect David Morgan revealed on Saturday.
A press release on Friday from the ICC stated that Speed, seven years in the position, would “be on paid leave from 30 April 2008 until the end of his contract term on 4 July 2008” following the “fundamental breakdown in the relationship between the CEO and a number of board members ... over a variety of issues that include Zimbabwe”.
Speed was due to stand down in July, but will now leave the ICC next Wednesday. At a media briefing at Lords on Saturday Morgan stressed that Speed’s departure was not over a disagreement over the Indian Premier League or the Indian Cricket League, as had been rumoured.
He said: “Contrary to that which has been gossiped on the wide spread basis, it is nothing to do with the ICL or the IPL.
“I would like to stress that there is agreement between the CEO the President (Ray Mali) that the CEO moves on to paid leave for the final two months of his term.
“That has not been imposed upon him. It is something that, by the work that I have done with the President and the CEO, there is agreement to that effect.
“It is not the ideal situation that has arisen. Both Mr Speed and Mr Mali have agreed this course of action. I think it is a very unfortunate ending to what has been a very successful term of office.”
Morgan revealed that the ICC’s approach to Zimbabwe had been a major sticking point for Speed though he was unprepared to go into the “other issues”. Concerns about the finances of how cricket was funded in Zimbabwe had led to an ICC executive board meeting in March.
The conclusions of the ICC created an irresolvable rift between Speed and other senior ICC figures. An independent audit was conducted by KPMG, though it has not been made available for public consumption.
And, as Morgan said: “Malcolm was clearly uncomfortable with the board’s decision regarding the KPMG report.
“It was very clear that the report identified no particular individuals who were guilty of any financial mismanagement or mal practice.
“It essentially reflected the extremely difficult trading position that exists in Zimbabwe, where parallel markets abound. Trading conditions are very difficult in Zimbabwe.”
Morgan praised the achievements of the 59-year-old Australian. “I believe that in Malcolm Speed’s time, in the seven years that he served, cricket has progressed really well,” he continued.
“We have a much more prosperous and vibrant game today than we had when he took over. I believe in due time people will stand back and pay tribute to his very significant achievements.”
Morgan conceded that, on the back of a “very disappointing” World Cup in the Caribbean last year and now this, “the image of the ICC is not good, and that is something that we need to address. I shall work jolly hard to make some progress.”
David Richardson, the ICC General Manager, is to serve as interim CEO until Speed’s replacement, Haroon Lorgat, assumes the role at the ICC’s Annual Conference at the beginning of July.
Disagreements over the issue of Zimbabwe led to Malcolm Speed not completing his full tenure as chief executive of the International Cricket Council, the ICC's president-elect David Morgan revealed on Saturday.
A press release on Friday from the ICC stated that Speed, seven years in the position, would “be on paid leave from 30 April 2008 until the end of his contract term on 4 July 2008” following the “fundamental breakdown in the relationship between the CEO and a number of board members ... over a variety of issues that include Zimbabwe”.
Speed was due to stand down in July, but will now leave the ICC next Wednesday. At a media briefing at Lords on Saturday Morgan stressed that Speed’s departure was not over a disagreement over the Indian Premier League or the Indian Cricket League, as had been rumoured.
He said: “Contrary to that which has been gossiped on the wide spread basis, it is nothing to do with the ICL or the IPL.
“I would like to stress that there is agreement between the CEO the President (Ray Mali) that the CEO moves on to paid leave for the final two months of his term.
“That has not been imposed upon him. It is something that, by the work that I have done with the President and the CEO, there is agreement to that effect.
“It is not the ideal situation that has arisen. Both Mr Speed and Mr Mali have agreed this course of action. I think it is a very unfortunate ending to what has been a very successful term of office.”
Morgan revealed that the ICC’s approach to Zimbabwe had been a major sticking point for Speed though he was unprepared to go into the “other issues”. Concerns about the finances of how cricket was funded in Zimbabwe had led to an ICC executive board meeting in March.
The conclusions of the ICC created an irresolvable rift between Speed and other senior ICC figures. An independent audit was conducted by KPMG, though it has not been made available for public consumption.
And, as Morgan said: “Malcolm was clearly uncomfortable with the board’s decision regarding the KPMG report.
“It was very clear that the report identified no particular individuals who were guilty of any financial mismanagement or mal practice.
“It essentially reflected the extremely difficult trading position that exists in Zimbabwe, where parallel markets abound. Trading conditions are very difficult in Zimbabwe.”
Morgan praised the achievements of the 59-year-old Australian. “I believe that in Malcolm Speed’s time, in the seven years that he served, cricket has progressed really well,” he continued.
“We have a much more prosperous and vibrant game today than we had when he took over. I believe in due time people will stand back and pay tribute to his very significant achievements.”
Morgan conceded that, on the back of a “very disappointing” World Cup in the Caribbean last year and now this, “the image of the ICC is not good, and that is something that we need to address. I shall work jolly hard to make some progress.”
David Richardson, the ICC General Manager, is to serve as interim CEO until Speed’s replacement, Haroon Lorgat, assumes the role at the ICC’s Annual Conference at the beginning of July.
Labels: David Morgan, International Cricket Council, Malcolm Speed, Zimbabwe
