Cricket Canada Suspended Amid Gang-Linked Corruption Allegations

The Suspension of Cricket Canada

Cricket's international governing body has suspended Canada over what it described as "serious breaches of its membership obligations", dealing the latest blow to an organization that critics say has become a "laughing stock" within the sport.

Allegations of Corruption and Governance Issues

The suspension also comes amid growing concerns that one of Canada's fastest-growing sports is being influenced by members of a notorious gang that operates with impunity from an Indian prison cell.

• The International Cricket Council (ICC) finalized the suspension at a meeting in Ahmedabad, India, on Sunday amid mounting concerns about the governance of Canada's national cricket body.
• The decision follows the freezing of Cricket Canada's funding in May after allegations that the organization lacked adequate governance systems and had failed to file audited financial statements.

The Impact of the Suspension

In a statement, Cricket Canada's new interim chief operating officer, Bhavjit Jauhar, said the ICC suspension was "unexpected" but that the organization won't challenge the decision. Instead it "remains fully committed to meeting all compliance requirements".

• Jauhar said an independent investigation will look into governance and financial controls.
• Canadian teams are still eligible to compete in sanctioned events.

The Future of Cricket Canada

The ICC said it will provide Cricket Canada with a set of reinstatement conditions, and reinstatement will be contingent on the organization meeting the conditions to the satisfaction of the ICC's board.

• Cricket Canada will have limited access to financial resources for its national teams from a controlled funding mechanism under ICC oversight.