Even as an Australian I cant say Speed has had a successful tenure as CEO.
He tried to play the role too much like an overcompromising Olympic official in my opinion.
The ICC has lacked transperancy and tried to hide to many skeletons in the closet during his watch for my liking.
This is an ineviatable ending.
From :
ICC stands down Speed - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) Quote:
Print Email Add to My Stories ICC stands down Speed
Posted 6 hours 42 minutes ago
Updated 5 hours 58 minutes ago Difference of opinion: The ICC has asked CEO Malcolm Speed to step down. (File photo) (Getty Images: Robert Prezioso)The International Cricket Council (ICC) has asked outgoing chief executive Malcolm Speed to step down, following major differences at the top of the organisation.
"The ICC President, Ray Mali, and the CEO, Malcolm Speed, have agreed that Mr Speed will be on paid leave from April 30 until the end of his contract term on July 4, 2008," an ICC statement from its president-elect David Morgan said.
"This change of plan is the result of a fundamental breakdown in the relationship between the CEO and a number of (ICC) board members, including the president, over a variety of issues that include Zimbabwe."
South Africa's David Richardson, the ICC general manager for cricket, will hold the post until his compatriot Haroon Lorgat takes over the job at the ICC annual conference in early July.
Asking Mr Speed to go ahead of schedule is the latest crisis to hit the organisation, indicating serious divisions among its member boards.
The affairs of the troubled Zimbabwe board has been one of them.
The national team has been out of test cricket since January 2006 after the side were depleted in the wake of a series of confrontations between players and the administration.
Last month, an independent audit found serious financial irregularities in the Zimbabwe board accounts but the ICC did not call for any sanctions.
The ICC board decided there was no evidence of criminality and no individuals had gained financially.
A media report on Friday suggested the ICC's annual conference in late June, traditionally held at Lord's, London, could be moved to its headquarters in Dubai due to visa problems for Zimbabwe board chief Peter Chingoka.
An ICC spokesman said no official decision had been made on shifting the venue.
The ICC top brass have also been divided over other issues, including the controversy over Australian umpire Darrell Hair, who was sacked as an elite panel umpire in November 2006 but reinstated last month.
- Reuters |