Middlesex County Cricket Club should conduct a comprehensive review of its internal culture, governance structures, and staff conduct, as recommended by the sport's regulatory body. The club is currently awaiting the outcome of a Cricket Discipline Commission hearing, following charges of improper conduct brought by the Cricket Regulator last month. In September 2023, Middlesex was fined £50,000 and received a suspended points deduction from the ECB after being found guilty of misallocating central funding intended for grassroots programs to its first team.
Additionally, the Guardian has learned that the Cricket Regulator's board requested two of its members to review how the organization handled complaints about the culture within Middlesex in September. The Cricket Regulator, established by the England and Wales Cricket Board in response to criticisms of its governance system following the Azeem Rafiq racism scandal, is the sport's independent disciplinary and compliance authority responsible for overseeing and enforcing cricket regulations.
In correspondence seen by the Guardian, the review group identified 'issues of concern' related to 'the culture, behaviour, and governance of the organisation'. Despite having already brought two charges against Middlesex within a year, the review group did not propose further disciplinary action. 'The review group notes that there are issues of concern in respect of a number of parties involved with the ongoing situation at the club,' the Cricket Regulator stated. 'We do consider that an institution such as the club would want to undertake a review to ensure the culture, behaviour, and governance of the organisation are at the highest standards.'
Middlesex has reportedly received complaints from current and former staff members regarding the behavior of a senior member of their leadership team over several years, but no action was taken. Following the complaints being forwarded to the ECB, the Cricket Regulator initiated an investigation that led to Middlesex being charged with a breach of ECB Directive 3.3, which pertains to conduct 'which is improper or which may be prejudicial to the interests of cricket or which may bring the ECB, the game of cricket or any cricketer or groups of cricketers into disrepute'. Under ECB regulations, the Cricket Regulator cannot bring disciplinary charges against individual executives, so the club was held accountable for the alleged misconduct.
Despite the charges issued in June, the individual in question was not suspended and continued to work for Middlesex throughout the summer. Middlesex has denied any wrongdoing and is confident of being exonerated when the Cricket Discipline Commission delivers its verdict. The club has not had recent contact with the Cricket Regulator and is satisfied with its current processes. 'Some people will always be unhappy, but our governance is in good shape,' said Middlesex's chief executive, Andrew Cornish. 'The compliance agreement we have with the ECB is working, and we're comfortable with them observing our board meetings.'
Source link: https://www.theguardian.com
