Governance concerns spark a sequence of unintended consequences for English cricket

There is a growing feeling in the English game that external overseas private investment is inevitable (AFP)
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Updated 25 January 2024
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Governance concerns spark a sequence of unintended consequences for English cricket

  • There is a growing feeling in the game that external overseas private investment is inevitable, or it risks being left behind by other nations

Last week in Arab News, Azeem Rafiq expressed his deep concerns about the return of a former chair of Yorkshire County Cricket Club to the club’s helm. Rafiq’s concerns are personal and raw, as have been detailed in several of my previous columns and by himself in a variety of media.

He blew a whistle on racism in 2020. Rafiq and his family have been hounded ever since.

However, his concerns are not limited to the personal attacks that he has endured. They spread more widely to concerns about the future governance of YCCC. In turn, these raise alarm bells about the governance and ownership of English and Welsh cricket at county level. Currently, all but three of the 18 counties are subject to membership ratification of proposals for change. No such checks and balances exist in franchise cricket, where executive power holds sway.

Colin Graves was the savior of YCCC in 2002, when he bailed the club out of bankruptcy. At that time, he was chair of a chain of convenience stores that he founded in 1986. The chain was sold in 2011 and in the following year he became executive chairman of YCCC. In 2015 he moved on to be chair of the England and Wales Cricket Board, leaving in 2020. It was during these two tenures that the racism — which Azeem Rafiq alleged was rife in YCCC — took place.

Rafiq’s revelations sparked a series of crises at YCCC and more widely within British cricket. Internecine strife broke out in Yorkshire. YCCC’s financial affairs deteriorated. In the financial year ended Dec. 31, 2022, a pre-tax loss of $2.83 million (£2.22 million) was reported, of which $2.10 million (£1.64 million) was attributed to actions taken as a result of the crises, including sizeable legal costs. Cash flow challenges became more acute, generating the need for cash injections. One of the club’s ongoing liabilities is the repayment of $19.1 million (£15 million) to the Graves Family Trust.

Who better, then, to come riding to the rescue, once again, than Colin Graves? Apparently, there were other suitors. It was widely reported that Mike Ashley, a previous, contentious, owner of Newcastle United FC had tabled a bid of $29.3 million (£23 million) to take over YCCC. This would have involved the purchase, renaming and leaseback of the stadium, as well as the repayment of the Graves Family Trust loan. It is believed that the deal-breaker was a rejection of Ashley’s request for England team kits to be manufactured under one of his brands. This decision by the ECB paved the way for Graves. On Jan. 10, YCCC’s board agreed to recommend his refinancing plan and submit details to members for ratification at an EGM on Feb. 2. A two-thirds majority is required.

On Jan. 16, Graves issued a manifesto for YCCC’s future. This contained a warning that failure to adopt his plan could lead to far-reaching consequences. He is seeking rule changes that allow him to appoint a new board of directors, seemingly on his terms. In echoes of Donald Trump, he urges the support of members to “make YCCC great again.” This smacks of a desire for absolute power. In emollient fashion, Graves apologizes for mistakes that he or the club have made in the recent past, pledging that all will be welcome at YCCC “regardless of background, community or ethnicity.” This will ring hollow for some parts of the community.

A charity, Sporting Equals, which promotes ethnic diversity in UK sport, issued an open letter in which it expressed concerns that the reinstatement of Graves could potentially undermine the progress that has been made in cricket to combat racism since Rafiq’s allegations. A particular point of irritation is that Graves is on record as saying that, during his time as YCCC chair, no one complained of racism at any level. Furthermore, he is on record as dismissing racist comments to Rafiq as “banter,” for which he received censure from the ECB. An apology was issued subsequently.

If members grant the control that Graves craves, some fundamental consequences may ensue. There have been rumors that an Indian Premier League franchise owner expressed interest in acquiring YCCC. This has set hares running along the lines that Graves will seek to change the mutual membership status of the club. He claims that there are no discussions or plans to achieve this. However, he adds, rather ominously, that “in the changing and challenging arena of both UK and world sport, nothing can be ruled out in the future.” It should be recalled that, during his time as chair of the ECB, The Hundred, a city-based hybrid franchise tournament, was introduced. Graves is on record as saying that he was aware of interest from Indian investors.

It would be easy to start joining up the dots. One of those dots is visible in Hampshire, where the county cricket club was saved from insolvency by Rod Bransgrove in 2000. He re-established the club as a business entity, developing a hotel, golf course and other entertainment at a new site. Bransgrove stepped down as chair last year, but owns more than 60 percent of shares in the company. Recently, news has broken that the company is in advanced negotiations to sell a stake to part-owners of one of the IPL franchises. As Hampshire is a limited company, there is no requirement to seek members approval.

There is a growing feeling in the English game that external overseas private investment is inevitable. Income levels for most counties are flat, costs are rising sharply and real estate resources are not used optimally. English cricket risks being left behind other cricketing countries. However, to create the opportunity for investment, its ownership structure may have to change. This will mean members having to vote for existing structures, which they long fought to preserve, to be dismantled. Yorkshire may find itself as the surprising testing ground for such action, unwittingly put in motion by a man who, initially, was seeking only an apology for racial abuse.


South African Mokwena to coach Algerian champions Mouloudia

Updated 6 sec ago
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South African Mokwena to coach Algerian champions Mouloudia

His move to Algiers follows one season with Moroccan outfit Wydad Casablanca
Mokwena will come up against two other former South African Premiership coaches in the Algerian championship

JOHANNESBURG: South African Rulani Mokwena was named coach of Algerian champions Mouloudia Alger on Monday, ending weeks of speculation as to where the 38-year-old would work in the 2025/26 season.

His move to Algiers follows one season with Moroccan outfit Wydad Casablanca. He left after finishing third in the national league and failing to qualify for the CAF Champions League.

Here, AFP Sport also reports on a setback for Sudanese giants Al Hilal as they chase a place in the forthcoming Champions League in the latest football news across Africa.

Mokwena will come up against two other former South African Premiership coaches in the Algerian championship.

German Josef Zinnbauer, the former Orlando Pirates tactician, guided JS Kabylie to second place behind Mouloudia last season and qualification for the Champions League.

Another German, Sead Ramovic, led Chabab Belouizdad to third place and entry to the second-tier CAF Confederation Cup. His previous clubs include TS Galaxy in South Africa.

Young Orlando Pirates forward Mohau Nkota is joining Saudi Pro League club Ettifaq, the Soweto club announced.

Last season was his first with the Buccaneers first team and he scored 12 goals in 39 appearances, including three in Champions League victories over Belouizdad and Mouloudia in Algeria.

The 20-year-old will join fellow African Wissam Chaouali, a Tunisian defender, at a club that finished seventh in the Pro League last season, 33 points behind champions Al Ittihad.

Al Hilal, who have featured in every Champions League since 2004, suffered a setback in their bid to qualify for the 2025/26 edition of the premier African club competition.
The Sudan Elite League pacesetters lost 1-0 to Al Amal Atbara in the fourth round of a mini-league and remain top of the table only on goal difference from Al Zamaleh Umm Ruwaba.

Only two points separate seven of the eight contenders and 16 matches have produced just 18 goals as clubs chase top-four finishes and places in the Champions League and Confederation Cup.

Angolan champions Petro Luanda have hired 48-year-old Spanish coach Franc Artiga as they prepare for their Champions League campaign.

Former Angola forward Flavio Amado had been in charge of the record 19-time national champions, but lacks the necessary coaching qualifications for Confederation of African Football competitions.

Petro have twice reached the Champions League semifinals, losing to Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa in 2001 and Wydad Casablanca three years ago.

Namibia, one of many African countries lacking a FIFA-approved stadium, will play their remaining 2026 World Cup home qualifiers against Malawi and Sao Tome e Principe in neighboring Botswana.

The matches in September are earmarked for Francistown, 440 kilometers (274 miles) northeast of the capital Gaborone. They previously hosted qualifiers in Soweto near Johannesburg.

Namibia are unbeaten in Group H after three victories and three draws and lie second, four points behind six-time World Cup qualifiers Tunisia.

Turki Alalshikh announces tickets for blockbuster Canelo vs. Crawford fight

Updated 4 min 13 sec ago
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Turki Alalshikh announces tickets for blockbuster Canelo vs. Crawford fight

  • Riyadh Season event features 2 of boxing’s biggest names of a generation on Sept. 13
  • Tickets go on sale July 18, with the bouts set to stream on Netflix

LAS VEGAS: Two of boxing’s most dominant forces, undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs) and undefeated four-division superstar Terence Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) are set to face off in a Riyadh Season fight for the unified super middleweight championship at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sept. 13, with tickets to go on sale later this week.

Start of ticket sales were announced Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority and president of the Saudi Boxing Federation, who is collaborating with UFC President and CEO Dana White and Sela to promote the highly anticipated showdown.

Canelo is looking to add Crawford to his legendary resume. Capturing a multitude of titles across multiple weight divisions, and defeating the likes of Shane Mosley, Gennady Golovkin and Miguel Cotto, Alvarez has done more than enough to solidify himself as one of the best to ever do it. The proud native of Guadalajara, Mexico, now turns his attention to the undefeated challenger, Terence Crawford, to cement his legacy even further.

Omaha, Nebraska’s Crawford, meanwhile, is setting out to show why he believes he’s the No.1 pound-for-pound boxer in the world with a defining win against Alvarez. The current WBA and interim WBO middleweight champion, Crawford has become a household name by defeating Ricky Burns, Jose Benavidez Jr., Amir Khan, Shawn Porter and Errol Spence Jr. After moving up in weight to 154 pounds against Israil Madrimov, Crawford now sets his sights on Canelo to secure the biggest win of his career.

Canelo vs. Crawford tickets will go on sale July 18 and are available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight per person. Presales will begin July 17.


Man City sign kit deal worth reported £1 billion

Updated 15 July 2025
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Man City sign kit deal worth reported £1 billion

  • City’s extension of their contract with Puma ranks as the largest kit manufacturing partnership
  • “We joined forces with Puma with the ambition to challenge ourselves and go beyond the expectations,” City Football Group chief executive Ferran Soriano said

LONDON: Manchester City have signed a blockbuster new kit deal with Puma worth a reported £1 billion ($1.34 billion) over the next 10 years.

City’s extension of their contract with Puma ranks as the largest kit manufacturing partnership in Premier League history.

Having agreed a £65 million per year deal with the German company in 2019, City’s new arrangement is believed to be worth a £100 million per year until 2035, according to British media reports.

That figure shatters the £90 million per year deal signed by Manchester United with Adidas in 2023.

Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona are both reported to have kit deals worth in excess of £100 million per year.

“We joined forces with Puma with the ambition to challenge ourselves and go beyond the expectations. We have achieved this and more over the last six seasons,” City Football Group chief executive Ferran Soriano said.

“Puma have seamlessly integrated into our organization, and we have enjoyed many historic moments together, engaging fans globally.”

Puma chief executive Arthur Hoeld added: “Puma’s partnership with Manchester City has been a great success both on and off the pitch.

“Trophies, a perfect stage for our performance products and commercial success were exceptional.”

City’s massive deal comes after the club’s first season without major silverware since 2016-17.

Pep Guardiola’s men finished third in the Premier League after winning the title for the previous four seasons.

They also suffered a shock FA Cup final defeat against Crystal Palace and crashed out of the recent Club World Cup in the last 16 against Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.


Scheffler ‘couldn’t care less’ about being British Open favorite

Updated 15 July 2025
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Scheffler ‘couldn’t care less’ about being British Open favorite

  • The world number one has never seriously threatened to win a Claret Jug
  • “I could not care any less about being the favorite or not being the favorite,” he said

PORTRUSH, UK: Scottie Scheffler said on Tuesday he does “not care” about being the tournament favorite as he prepares for his latest tilt at a maiden British Open title this week at Royal Portrush.

The world number one has never seriously threatened to win a Claret Jug, but is again enjoying a run of supreme form and arrives in Northern Ireland as the PGA champion.

The American has emphatically rebounded from a slow start to the year after suffering a freak hand injury cutting himself on a wine glass, reeling off 10 successive top-10 finishes including three victories.

“I could not care any less about being the favorite or not being the favorite,” he said.

“We all start even par and the tournament starts on Thursday. That’s pretty much all that matters.”

Scheffler produced his best British Open finish last year with a tie for seventh, but ended his tournament at Troon in ignominious style with an embarrassing topped tee shot on the 18th en route to a closing double-bogey.

He has never missed the cut at the links major before, though, and believes he has what it takes to lift the Claret Jug.

“In terms of links golf, I love the style of golf. I think it’s really fun and you have to be creative,” Scheffler added.

“You have to hit a lot of really good shots. There’s a challenge to it, but I think it’s a lot of fun.

“We’ll see how the weather turns out this week. Weather has a pretty dramatic effect on how the golf course is going to play.”

Scheffler won nine titles last season, including the Masters and the Olympic gold medal.

His third major title at the PGA Championship in May is one of his three victories so far this year, but he says he doesn’t set himself specific targets.

“I don’t look at wins and losses or stuff like that.

“I don’t sit down at the beginning of the year and say I want to win X number of times; I want to win this many majors; I want to win this many tournament events. That’s not something I do.

“That’s not something that works for me.”


Healy becomes first Irishman in 38 years to lead the Tour de France

Updated 50 min 5 sec ago
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Healy becomes first Irishman in 38 years to lead the Tour de France

  • The 24-year-old EF rider had already won stage six in Normandy, but here the smiley Healy confirmed his promise with a career-defining ride claiming the fabled yellow jersey
  • Healy’s performance even overshadowed that of stage winner Simon Yates, who sat on his wheel all afternoon as they crossed the ancient volcanoes that mark the region

PUY DE SANCY, France: Ben Healy became the first Irishman since Stephen Roche in 1987 to take the overall lead on the Tour de France on Monday with a relentless attack across eight gruelling hills in the Massif Central.

The 24-year-old EF rider had already won stage six in Normandy, but here the smiley Healy confirmed his promise with a career-defining ride claiming the fabled yellow jersey.

He becomes just the fourth Irishman to wear it following Shay Elliott, back in 1963, Sean Kelly in 1983 and Roche who went on to win an epic race 38 years ago.

Healy’s performance even overshadowed that of stage winner Simon Yates, who sat on his wheel all afternoon as they crossed the ancient volcanoes that mark the region.

Such was the Irishman’s effort as the escapees rushed through the grey-black volcanic rock villages that he was also awarded the combativity award for the most attacking rider of the day.

“Hats off to him, he’s the one that dropped everyone,” Yates said of Healy as the escape group was gradually whittled down from 30 to five.

The 2025 Giro d’Italia winner Yates attacked on the last of the day’s climbs, with Thymen Arensman of Ineos second and Healy coming third at the line 31sec adrift and having never relented on a punishing day.

Healy was born in Birmingham but chose to represent Ireland in his youth. He is also in the white jersey for the best young rider.

“The stage win I got and the yellow today both mean a lot to me,” said Healy, who had a tense wait at the line for Pogacar to cross 4min 51sec adrift and ceding the overall lead, likely for several days.

“This yellow is more for the team who worked so hard to put me here but the stage win possibly means more as it came first,” he said.

Race favorites Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard crossed the line together after eight climbs in the Massif Central where they were rarely a wheel’s length from each other.

Healy leads the Tour itself by 29sec from defending champion Pogacar, with Belgian Remco Evenepoel in third at 1min 29sec.

Denmark’s double Tour de France champion Vingegaard is fourth overall at 1min 46sec, and his Visma teammate Matteo Jorgenson sits fifth.

Third placed overnight, promising young French rider Kevin Vauquelin dropped a minute to finish the day in sixth place overall.

Recompense for the home nation on the national Bastille Day holiday came in the form of Lenny Martinez as he earned the King of the Mountains polka dot jersey with 27 points garnered on the day’s stage.

His grandfather Mariano Martinez won the polka dot jersey outright on the 1978 Tour.

Successive escape bids ensued from the off Monday as the 164 remaining riders raced out of Ennezat with top guns Pogacar and Evenepoel finally allowing one to get away over the ever-rolling terrain

Once they did, a gap over five minutes was established by a motivated group that rode so hard over the cattle dotted hills the sprinters were dropped to over 30 minutes at the finish line.

While Tuesday is a rest day, Wednesday’s stage 11 is another flat run with a sprinter expected to take the honors in Toulouse.