"MINIMAL," was the answer the board of Cricket South Africa (CSA) gave when asked what the ramifications would be of appointing Haroon Lorgat as its chief executive.
Instead, CSA is facing a financial crisis because the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is refusing to fulfil fixtures for the Indian team's tour to South Africa next season that have been listed, though non-bindingly, on the future tours programme for three years.
If the tour is shortened, CSA could lose up to R200-million in revenue. Half as much is estimated to have been consumed in legal fees and lost sponsorship by the bonus scandal that created the vacancy Lorgat filled.
The BCCI's beef with Lorgat is unclear.
It is thought to relate to his tenure as chief executive of the International Cricket Council (ICC) between 2008 and last year.
Asked to confirm that the Indians wanted charges of nepotism and financial misconduct pressed against Lorgat, former CSA acting president Willie Basson said: "It did come up at the board meetings I went to and there were rumours, but it was not discussed because he was leaving the ICC.
"I did have a discussion with him about the underlying issues. He denied he had done anything wrong. He said whatever he had done as ICC chief executive was within accepted business practices and had the approval of the ICC president. I was comfortable with what I took away from my discussion with him."
Former CSA acting chief executive Jacques Faul said that at a meeting in Malaysia in December, Basson was told by BCCI president Narayanaswami Srinivasan that "if you appoint Lorgat it will affect the tour and our relationship, and you will lose money".
Faul challenged Srinivasan: "You can't tell us who to appoint."
Srinivasan replied: "We're telling you who not to appoint."
Faul was asked in April to apply for the national job. He declined.
Lorgat was appointed in July. He said he had applied on February 2.
CSA knew giving it to him was dangerous. Did it know how dangerous?
"The question of what the consequences could be - specifically concerning India - was discussed at a board meeting," a CSA insider said. "The answer given was 'minimal'."
Cricket SA crossroads
"MINIMAL," was the answer the board of Cricket South Africa (CSA) gave when asked what the ramifications would be of appointing Haroon Lorgat as its chief executive.
Instead, CSA is facing a financial crisis because the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is refusing to fulfil fixtures for the Indian team's tour to South Africa next season that have been listed, though non-bindingly, on the future tours programme for three years.
If the tour is shortened, CSA could lose up to R200-million in revenue. Half as much is estimated to have been consumed in legal fees and lost sponsorship by the bonus scandal that created the vacancy Lorgat filled.
The BCCI's beef with Lorgat is unclear.
It is thought to relate to his tenure as chief executive of the International Cricket Council (ICC) between 2008 and last year.
Asked to confirm that the Indians wanted charges of nepotism and financial misconduct pressed against Lorgat, former CSA acting president Willie Basson said: "It did come up at the board meetings I went to and there were rumours, but it was not discussed because he was leaving the ICC.
"I did have a discussion with him about the underlying issues. He denied he had done anything wrong. He said whatever he had done as ICC chief executive was within accepted business practices and had the approval of the ICC president. I was comfortable with what I took away from my discussion with him."
Former CSA acting chief executive Jacques Faul said that at a meeting in Malaysia in December, Basson was told by BCCI president Narayanaswami Srinivasan that "if you appoint Lorgat it will affect the tour and our relationship, and you will lose money".
Faul challenged Srinivasan: "You can't tell us who to appoint."
Srinivasan replied: "We're telling you who not to appoint."
Faul was asked in April to apply for the national job. He declined.
Lorgat was appointed in July. He said he had applied on February 2.
CSA knew giving it to him was dangerous. Did it know how dangerous?
"The question of what the consequences could be - specifically concerning India - was discussed at a board meeting," a CSA insider said. "The answer given was 'minimal'."
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