WICB responds to former president’s call for forensic audit
From Caribbean News Now
ST JOHN’S, Antigua — In a letter dated September 21, 2016, West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) chief executive officer, Michael Moorhead, has responded to statements by former WICB president (2005–2007), Ken Gordon, published on ESPN Cricinfo and in Britain’s Daily Express newspaper that included a call for a forensic audit.
Moorhead said the WICB is unaware of what Gordon referred to as a “small cabal”.
“In my tenure at the WICB we have always had full discussion at board meetings and constant communication between members. There is also a sound working relationship between the board of directors and management. I wish to remind you of the present managerial structure of the WICB and its system of Committees, which, I am advised you utilized extensively during your time in office,” Moorhead said.
He noted that the selection panel, for example, is one such committee, which exercises its mandate without interference by any board of directors or “small cabal” thereof.
The WICB said it noted in the ESPN Cricinfo article that it was reported that one of the grounds Gordon advanced for the forensic audit of the WICB was the removal of Darren Sammy.
“The board of directors, its individual members, its management or staff do NOT pick teams. Furthermore, the WICB does NOT, exceptionally or otherwise, request that a particular player be dropped or picked,” Moorhead stressed.
In relation to the profits made from the World Cup, the WICB said that Gordon implied wrongdoing and therefore a need for accountability, but failed and/or refused to point out any fact that suggests any wrongdoing, misspending or misappropriation of World Cup profits.
“We are saddened that you have made no inquiry of the board before your public outbursts. You would undoubtedly be aware that the decision to expend, and the distribution of the profits, are supported by documentary evidence and reflected in our audited accounts,” Moorhead said.
He asked what the issues of financial probity Gordon is referring to are and where are the facts to substantiate improbity.
“The WICB unequivocally rejects any such imputation of lack of probity. It is well known that the WICB has retained both an external auditor, and in the last three years, an internal auditor. If you believe there is improbity, which require a forensic audit, please be courageous enough to place the facts before the public,” Moorhead said.
The WICB rejected as false Gordon’s allegation that the WICB has dismissed reports commissioned by it.
“The WICB has implemented the Lucky Report in full and many recommendations of the Patterson and Wilkin reports. No board of directors is required to implement all recommendations. We should add that if you are referring to the CARICOM’s sub-committee’s report, the WICB responded with a full report of its own which it sent to the secretary general of CARICOM, as well as to sitting heads of CARICOM governments. This WICB response will inform you of the many governance changes including a governance committee implemented by the board since you left the WICB many years ago,” Moorhead pointed out.
The WICB denied having disrespected any person, especially any prime ministers. The WICB said it respects the leaders of the region, and has not and will never disrespect any prime minister.
“At the same time the WICB is not part of any political agenda, nor is it subject to the directives of any prime minister. The board is vested with powers and authority which it must exercise independently and in its best judgment for the betterment of West Indies cricket. There is a clearly defined line between standing up for what you believe is right and disrespecting any person or official. We keep the distinction before us, and assure you that the line has not been crossed,” Moorhead elaborated.
The WICB claimed to have made strident progress in the relationship with players, and in its relationship with the players’ union (WIPA).
“We believe that the players have the game of cricket and the region at heart. It is a sad part of our history that there has been many a difficulty with the players. This was also the case during your tenure,” Moorhead said, pointing to Gordon’s final speech as WICB president, styled ‘New Dawn for West Indies Cricket.
At that time, Gordon said:
“Our team lacks the toughness, mental and physical, of professional sustainability. At a time when our players are amongst the best paid in the game, we hear complaints that a ‘curfew is too restrictive’, ‘training standards are too vigorous’, ‘the fellas need a break’. All this while we remain at the lower end of the international scale and the leading teams conform to the demands of today’s professional cricket as a matter of course…
“…Our relationship with WIPA continues to be a matter for concern. The arbitration process has assisted in that strikes have been avoided. But communication between the two organisations remains adversarial…”
The WICB said it must do what is right for West Indies cricket based on material and factual information provided to it.
“We do not believe that you have produced any reasonable cause in support of your call for a forensic audit. Such calls are dangerous and manifestly offend the good reputations of our various board members and the hard working management and staff at the WICB. In the interest of fairness and justice we ask you to cease such calls which may lead to mischief, or to produce the evidence on which your call is based,” Moorhead concluded.
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Related story:
By Colin Benjamin
Former presidents and officials of the West Indies Cricket Board have urged CARICOM to conduct a forensic audit of the board in order to save West Indies cricket from “absolute and total downfall”.
Six former officials – Ken Gordon, Pat Rousseau, Anthony Deyal, Charles Wilkin, Bruce Aanensen and Imran Khan – have claimed that the current WICB administration under Dave Cameron has seemingly become “untouchable”, and not doing anything would lead to the “inevitable demise” of cricket in the Caribbean.
“We must reinforce the message that West Indies cricket belongs to the people of the West Indies, not to the WICB,” Gordon, WICB president from 2006 to 2008, said. “It may be timely to call for a forensic audit of the organisation. We need to lift the clouded veil which now surrounds that body. Answers are required and this can be a first step to return to the transparency required of a body which is a major beneficiary of regional resources and private sponsorship.
“Many lovers of the game have said to me, ‘What can we do that would make a difference?’ The WICB seems to be untouchable. I say to them and to all cricket lovers who are concerned, let the call for a forensic audit be loud and clear. We need to save our cricket and this has to begin with getting the WICB right. It would be entirely legitimate for CARICOM to fund such an exercise and I urge that they consider doing so.”
Asked for a reaction, the WICB told ESPNcricinfo that it has hired global consultants PricewaterhouseCoopers and KPMG to conduct the audit operations. “We maintain an internal and external audit system with PWC and KPMG respectively. You may refer to them for any additional inquiries you may have,” a WICB spokesperson said.
Gordon first made the call for an audit in July and has renewed his plea in light of the WICB’s refusal to accept the latest CARICOM reform proposal and the controversial removal of Darren Sammy as captain of the West Indies T20I team.
Rousseau, who served as president of the board from 1996 to 2001, said all sporting bodies need to be carefully monitored. “There should be an assurance that there is certification by an independent group that proper governance procedures are followed at all times. I would commend to all the governments in CARICOM that they create special legislation that brings all the sporting associations under an obligation to observe good governance principles and to protect the finances of the association.”
Deyal, WICB’s corporate secretary between 2006 and 2008, supported Gordon’s call and also urged for an audit of country boards.
“I strongly support the call. Mr Gordon has made a strong case for following the money and has proposed as the mechanism a forensic audit of the individual boards which own the WICB and of the WICB itself. There is a deep threat of the absolute and total downfall of West Indies cricket. It’s a process which is fully underway and at this stage seemingly inevitable.”
Wilkin, a former chairman of the board’s governance committee, suggested that unless the board heeds the calls for change, CARICOM governments should “refuse permission for use of the stadia and refuse them access to regional cricket grounds”.
Wilkins said he was skeptical about CARICOM’s unity considering the emergence of factions within the regional body. In June, Antigua Prime Minister Gaston Browne had stated that he would categorically reject the CARICOM’s call for dissolving the WICB.
Imran Khan, a former WICB communications officer, also felt the CARICOM’s refusal to give the WICB access to certain grounds could have an impact. “Two things need to happen: mass fan boycott, and CARICOM governments refusing the WICB access to grounds which they own or control or have influence over,” Khan said. “CARICOM can no longer delay taking decisive action to rescue to the regional game from the cauldron of incompetence from which it boils. To not act is to contribute to the further deterioration of the regional game and to be complicit in its inevitable demise.”
IMAGE: Former WICB president Ken Gordon: ‘We must reinforce the message that West Indies cricket belongs to the people of the West Indies, not to the WICB’ Associated Press
For more on this story go to: http://www.espn.com/cricket/story/_/id/17492132/former-wicb-officials-call-forensic-audit-west-indies-board
