JOHANNESBURG, (Reuters) – Cricket South Africa have suspended international cricket at the Wanderers after accusing the Gauteng Cricket Board (GCB) of making unfounded allegations of mismanagement against CSA chief executive Gerald Majola.
The GCB, unhappy at Majola’s handling of the Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament which was staged in the republic in April and May, accused Majola of a “flagrant disregard of his duties” and demanded to see a copy of the contract between CSA and the IPL.
A statement released by CSA said Majola had given a “high level overview” of the tournament to a special meeting of CSA’s 11 provincial affiliates, known as the members’ forum, on Friday.
“The tournament was a resounding success acclaimed throughout the international sporting world and was a big boost for South Africa ahead of the FIFA Confederations Cup and World Cup.
“The only negative to come out of this has been the unacceptable behaviour of the Gauteng Cricket Board both during and after the tournament,” the statement quoted CSA president Mtutuzeli Nyoka as saying.
The Wanderers in Johannesburg hosted the IPL final as well as the 2007 Cricket World Cup final and is considered South Africa’s premier cricketing venue.
“The forum rejected with contempt the allegations of mismanagement against Majola, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and IPL which were made to CSA by the Gauteng Cricket Board,” added Nyoka.
The CSA said that the Gauteng board had been unconditionally asked to withdraw their allegations and apologise,as well as provide what their conditions are for hosting future international matches.
“Until both the apology and the hosting conditions are submitted, there will be no international matches staged at the Wanderers stadium under the auspices of CSA,” the statement said.
The CSA said the ban would have no impact on the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa in September.
Alan Kourie, the chief executive of the GCB, told Reuters on Friday that he could not comment on the ban until a board meeting had taken place.
