Welcoming ICC's move to defer decision on its governance and financial revamp plan, former president Ehsan Mani has insisted on increasing the number of Executive committee members from five to seven so that the "the Big 3" do not have a veto on any matter.
ICC's executive board postponed its decision on the controversial 'Position Paper' piloted by India (BCCI), England (ECB) and Australia (CA) in the just-concluded meeting held in Dubai.
ICC also proposed the establishment of an Executive Committee (ExCo) and Financial & Commercial Affairs Committee (F&CA) to provide leadership at an operational level, with five members, including BCCI, CA and ECB representatives.
"I think it is the right decision. Every member should be given time to think through the consequences of the proposals contained it the Position Paper; consult with their home board directors and other stakeholders in their countries before making a final decision," Mani, who had initiated the protest against the proposal with his 13-page assessment, told PTI Bhasha from Lahore.
"But I have a number of concerns. Firstly, the proposed ExCo membership of 5 risks creating further tension down the line. It gives BCCI, ECB and CA effective veto powers over the committee. There should be seven members, two of whom should be independent of the ICC and any member board with expertise in finance and strategy and a good understanding of the game," he said.
The clauses in the proposal paper, if approved by the Executive Board next month, will give the decision making power to these three countries.
He asked the ICC and the three boards to rethink about the position of Associate and Affiliate members.
"The statement is silent on the fact that the Associate and Affiliate members stand to lose USD 300 million. These are the countries that need the money most if ICC is committed to protect and grow the game around the world. The money taken from these countries is going to end up in the bank accounts of the three boards who have the least requirement. ICC and these three countries need to re-think this," said the former chief of world body.
