Speed calls on 'dysfunctional' USA to sort itself out

The ICC has called on the two opposing factions which claim to represent the USA Cricket Association to settle their differences, and has offered its independent Disputes Resolution Committee process as a means of resolving the situation. It was also revealed that until the dispute is settled, the ICC will be suspending all payments to the USACA.

Ina letter to the solictors representing the two parties, Malcolm Speed, the ICC's chief executive, offered the committee as a way to fast-track the process and also a means to "avoid costly litigation and provide a binding decision in a timely manner".

He continued: "On the basis of the information that has been supplied to the ICC following recent elections, the ICC is unable to determine the duly elected members of the board of directors. According to our calculations, eight positions on the board of directors are undisputed. Two positions on the board of directors are disputed."

And Speed went on: "Two groups of individuals each claim to have the support of six members of the board of directors. Each group claims to be in control of and entitled to run the USACA. Communication between these two groups is now being carried out through their respective lawyers. The ICC does not support one group in preference to the other group. The governance of USACA appears to have reached a level that is dysfunctional.

The current situation is untenable and unworkable

"In the next three months, there are several important events that will face USACA, not the least of which is fielding its best team in the ICC Trophy in Ireland to seek to qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup to be played in West Indies. Failure to qualify will be a significant blow to all cricket supporters in the USA.

"Until such time as the ICC receives clear and unequivocal notification as to the composition of the board of directors, it does not propose to release any funding to USACA, including the annual grant. Clear and unequivocal notification would take the form of a signed statement from all ten directors agreeing that they are each properly elected to the board of directors."

Speed concluded his letter by calling on the factions within the USACA to resolve their differences as a matter of urgency in order to move the game forward there. "In summary, gentlemen, the current situation is untenable and unworkable. Could I respectfully request that common sense prevail and that you sort out your differences and notify the ICC of the outcome as a matter of urgency."