ICC suspends Sri Lanka Cricket

What’s in today’s article?

• What is the International Cricket Council (ICC)?
• The government interference in Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC)
• What are the ICC rules on govt. interference?
• What will be the impact of this suspension?
• What does the future hold?

Why in news?

• Recently, the International Cricket Council (ICC), cricket’s world governing body, suspended Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) over government interference.
• The ICC stated that SLC has seriously violated its responsibilities as a member.
• This is especially in terms of managing its affairs independently and preventing government interference in the governance, regulation, and administration of cricket in Sri Lanka.

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What is the International Cricket Council (ICC)?

• About
  • The ICC is the global governing body for cricket. 
  • Representing 108 members, the ICC governs and administrates the game and works with our members to grow the sport. 
  • National cricket boards from various countries are members of the ICC, and the organization plays a crucial role in shaping the future of international cricket.
• Function
  • It is responsible for overseeing and regulating international cricket matches and tournaments, including formats such as Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
  • The ICC is also responsible for the staging of all ICC Events including Cricket World Cup.
  • It presides over the ICC Code of Conduct, playing conditions, the Decision Review System and other ICC regulations. 
  • The ICC also appoints all match officials that officiate at all sanctioned international matches. 
  • Through the Anti-Corruption Unit it coordinates action against corruption and match fixing.

The government interference in Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC)

• SLC board sacked by the Sports Minister of Sri Lanka
  • In the immediate aftermath of Sri Lanka’s disastrous ninth-place finish in the 2023 World Cup in India, Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister sacked the SLC board.
    • As a result of this performance, Sri Lanka missed out on qualifying for the 2025 Champions Trophy,
  • He appointed former captain Arjuna Ranatunga to head an interim committee.
• Entry of Sri Lankan Parliament
  • Sri Lanka’s Court of Appeal issued a two-week stay order and reinstated the SLC Board.
  • However, the Sri Lankan parliament unanimously passed a resolution seeking the cricket board’s removal, perhaps the final straw in ICC’s eyes.

What are the ICC rules on govt. interference?

• According to the ICC Memorandum & Articles of Association:
  • every member must independently handle its operations and 
  • make sure there is no interference from the government or any public authority in how cricket is governed, regulated, or administered in its country.
    • This includes matters like team selection, management, and the appointment of coaches or support staff.

What will be the impact of this suspension?

• According to the ICC Memorandum & Articles of Association, if a member’s membership is suspended:
  • The member loses all its rights during the suspension.
  • This includes the right to receive ICC revenues, participate in ICC-sanctioned events, and attend or vote at meetings.
  • The Board of Directors can decide otherwise, but this is at their absolute discretion.
  • The suspension lasts for the specified period determined by the Board of Directors.
• When Zimbabwe was de-recognised, all cricketing activity in the country was shut down and funds frozen. 
• When Sri Lanka was partially sanctioned in 2014-15, ICC had placed the funds due to the island nation in an escrow.

What does the future hold?

• Conditions of Sri Lanka’s ouster will only be known after the ICC board meetings
  • The present conditions of Sri Lanka’s ouster and potential reinstatement will only be known after the ICC board meets in Ahmedabad.
    • Board is scheduled to meet after the conclusion of the Men’s Cricket World Cup.
  • Currently, there are no cricket matches scheduled for Sri Lanka at least for a month, though it is slated to host the 2024 Under-19 Men’s World Cup in January and February.
• Sri Lankan govt to approach the ICC’s dispute resolution committee
  • As per the Lanka govt, it will approach the ICC’s dispute resolution committee, an ICC body that reviews appeals from boards on membership matters.

In case of a failure, the govt would knock on the doors of the International Olympic Committee-authorised Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Q1) What is ICC Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC)?

The ICC Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) provides independent panels to hear and resolve disputes through arbitration. The DRC’s remit is to help achieve the objective of resolving disputes.

Q2) What is the Court of Arbitration for Sport?

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is an independent international body that settles disputes related to sport. CAS was established in 1984 by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). CAS headquarters are in Lausanne, Switzerland, with courts in New York City, Sydney, and Lausanne. Temporary courts are established in Olympic host cities.

Source: What led ICC to suspend Sri Lanka Cricket? | Explained | ICC