CSA suspend Corrie van Zyl and two more over commercial rights fiasco

The South African Cricketers' Association (SACA), last week, pitched a formal dispute over non-payment of commercial rights of players which mounts up to Rand 2.4 million (approx. US$ 164,000). SACA accused CSA of breaching an agreement which entitles them to use players’ commercial rights, that includes their pictures, for money in the inaugural season of the Mzansi Super League.

The CSA claims to have successfully dealt with situation after the formal dispute was launched as they said, "All fees due to players will be transferred to SACA with immediate effect." The board further promised an inquiry into the matter to nab the culprits. 

In a recent statement, Cricket South Africa has confirmed that employees involved in the non-payment of commercial rights fees during last year's MSL have been suspended and an inquiry is underway into alleged dereliction of duty.

"...employees who are alleged to have been involved in this matter have been placed on precautionary suspension until the investigation is completed, following which disciplinary action could be instituted against the affected employees".

Although CSA did not name the employees who have been suspended in this regard, an ESPNCricinfo report claims that interim director of cricket Corrie van Zyl, chief operating officer Naasei Appiah, and commercial manager Clive Eksteen are the ones who have been axed.

Further, CSA CEO Thabang Moroe assured the supporters that the board is always looking to work with consistency and tries to maintain its accountability while he urged all his employees and stakeholders to uphold the reputation of the board and the sport after the commercial rights fiasco.

"CSA wants to reassure all cricket fans and all cricket stakeholders that our organisation and indeed our staff adhere to the highest ethical standards in all our dealings and that consistency and accountability remains uppermost in all our processes and procedures," Thabang Moroe told ESPNCricinfo. "It is our expectation that all our staff members, including third-party stakeholders who are associated with the CSA brand should protect the reputation of CSA and the sport of cricket at all times."