Sanctions
By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos, July 3, 2018 (NAN) The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday concluded its five-day Annual Conference with strong support for strengthening the ICC Code of Conduct and a range of new offences introduced.
ICC Chairman Shashank Manohar said: “It has been a productive week of meetings here in Dublin, and it has been good to have all ICC members in attendance at our 75th Annual Conference.
“I and my fellow board of directors are unanimous in support of the recommendations of the Cricket Committee and Chief Executives’ Committee, to drive improved behavior across our sport.
“It is vital that there is a strong deterrent to both players and administrators to ensure we have high standards of conduct in our game.
“We have more than a billion fans and we must not give any of them any reason to doubt the high levels of integrity within our sport,” Manohar said.
The ICC said on its website that the body also agreed on a plan for stabilising the financial, cricket and management structures of Zimbabwe Cricket at the conference held in Dublin, Ireland.
“I am satisfied we have mapped out a way forward to enable Zimbabwe Cricket to get back on track.
“ It will require significant change to their financial, managerial and cricketing operations along with support from the ICC,’’ Manohar said.
The Chief Executive added that the ICC board also supported the Chief Executives’ Committee and Cricket Committee recommended changes to the Code of Conduct.
The new recommendation includes the introduction of new offences, and changes in the level of some existing offences.
The body also agreed to make changes to the way tours are conducted as part of a collective effort to build a culture of respect in the game.
Manohar said: “I thank every member for their commitment to improving players behaviour in the game and supporting the introduction of new offences and greater sanctions.
“There is a clear desire here to reclaim cricket’s unique proposition as a game that people can trust in and for us all to live the spirit of cricket in a way that is relevant in the 21st century.
“With regard to building a culture of respect, the board agreed that members should treat each other with respect, as well as ensuring that their teams respect each other, the game and the match officials.
“There was strong reaffirmation from all members of the need to give support to our match officials around their decision making.” (NAN)
KOA/ERO/PDE
===========
(Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Peter Ejiofor)