NEW DELHI: International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Manu Sawhney has been asked to go on leave in light of adverse findings of his management style which emerged in an internal culture review of the sport's governing body.
According to a report by PTI, Sawhney's conduct came under the scanner during an internal investigation by audit firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, and he may resign before his term ends. The report based its findings on the opinions of 85 employees and ex-employees of the ICC, with the federation’s chief coming under scrutiny for his allegedly "abrasive behaviour" with colleagues.
The preliminary investigation has concluded that Sawhney’s conduct over the last 12 months has been unsavoury and against the ICC's way of leading its operations. Allegations range from the petty (“arrogance and high-handedness”) to the serious, such as “hiring and sacking employees at whim.”
The ICC's human resources committee, led by England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Ian Watmore, discussed the findings of the report and sent a unanimous recommendation for the move to act against Sawhney to the ICC Board. In case Sawhney chooses not to resign, it could lead to a long-drawn removal procedure by the all-powerful board of directors.
Appointed to the position in January 2019, Sawhney succeeded the popular David Richardson after a seven-year stint, and took charge formally in April that year. Several media reports stated that his “authoritarian style of functioning” was a far cry from the inclusive approach of his predecessor and understandably it has not gone down well with the employees. He has also been at loggerheads with certain influential cricket boards over various policy decisions, against the backdrop of a battle within the global body between two different visions of the future of the game.
Sawhney, who has one more year left in his current tenure, was previously associated with Singapore Sports Hub and prior to that functioned as the head of ESPN Star Sports, also in Singapore, for 17 years.
