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Cape Town - Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Thursday welcomed the decision of an independent investigation commissioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) into allegations concerning its CEO Haroon Lorgat.
David Becker, a former legal advisor to CSA, last year accused the Indian cricket board (BCCI) of breaching rules regarding the ICC's Future Tours Programme.
It was believed that Lorgat had played a role in the statement issued by Becker.
However, an independent adjudicator fully exonerated Lorgat from all or any blame in relation to the allegations made against him.
All restrictions on Lorgat’s ability to perform his role as CSA CEO have therefore immediately been removed. This includes restrictions on Lorgat’s ability to represent CSA at the ICC’s Chief Executives’ Committee and restrictions on Lorgat’s communications with or involvement in matters related to the BCCI.
The allegations investigated by the independent inquiry centred on the following:
- Lorgat knew about the David Becker media statement and its contents prior to or at the time of its initial distribution.
- Lorgat was involved in the preparation of the David Becker media statement.
- Lorgat attempted to persuade a number of different journalists on separate occasions to delay and/or withdraw the story/David Becker media statement by offering to do something for them in return, allegedly bribing and eventually threatening the journalists.
“This is as clear as it gets and vindicates CSA and Lorgat’s determination that the investigation be properly concluded following recent offers to drop the investigation,” commented CSA president, Chris Nenzani.
“It is only fair and just for both CSA and to Lorgat that the process was properly concluded.
“As we expected, all the allegations have been dismissed and the board would like to reiterate its full trust and confidence in Lorgat as its chief executive. To date the board has been satisfied and indeed impressed with the progress made under his leadership.
“It is also clear that allegations and insinuations made against Lorgat by certain journalists were unprofessional and do not fall within the bounds of fair or justifiable comment. I hope these individuals or their organisations will now have the courage to issue an apology to both Lorgat and CSA.”
Lorgat commented: “With this unsavoury matter now behind us I look forward to getting on with the real challenges that we need to deal with.
“It was a costly but necessary exercise once the allegations were made. I am pleased it is now behind us and I must thank my board for their unequivocal support plus the many other people, including members of the public, who stood firm with me during this period," he concluded.
David Becker, a former legal advisor to CSA, last year accused the Indian cricket board (BCCI) of breaching rules regarding the ICC's Future Tours Programme.
It was believed that Lorgat had played a role in the statement issued by Becker.
However, an independent adjudicator fully exonerated Lorgat from all or any blame in relation to the allegations made against him.
All restrictions on Lorgat’s ability to perform his role as CSA CEO have therefore immediately been removed. This includes restrictions on Lorgat’s ability to represent CSA at the ICC’s Chief Executives’ Committee and restrictions on Lorgat’s communications with or involvement in matters related to the BCCI.
The allegations investigated by the independent inquiry centred on the following:
- Lorgat knew about the David Becker media statement and its contents prior to or at the time of its initial distribution.
- Lorgat was involved in the preparation of the David Becker media statement.
- Lorgat attempted to persuade a number of different journalists on separate occasions to delay and/or withdraw the story/David Becker media statement by offering to do something for them in return, allegedly bribing and eventually threatening the journalists.
“This is as clear as it gets and vindicates CSA and Lorgat’s determination that the investigation be properly concluded following recent offers to drop the investigation,” commented CSA president, Chris Nenzani.
“It is only fair and just for both CSA and to Lorgat that the process was properly concluded.
“As we expected, all the allegations have been dismissed and the board would like to reiterate its full trust and confidence in Lorgat as its chief executive. To date the board has been satisfied and indeed impressed with the progress made under his leadership.
“It is also clear that allegations and insinuations made against Lorgat by certain journalists were unprofessional and do not fall within the bounds of fair or justifiable comment. I hope these individuals or their organisations will now have the courage to issue an apology to both Lorgat and CSA.”
Lorgat commented: “With this unsavoury matter now behind us I look forward to getting on with the real challenges that we need to deal with.
“It was a costly but necessary exercise once the allegations were made. I am pleased it is now behind us and I must thank my board for their unequivocal support plus the many other people, including members of the public, who stood firm with me during this period," he concluded.
