ECB accused of ‘stitch-up’ over chairman role

THE ECB are facing more governance questions amid accusations of a ‘stitch-up’ to ensure existing board member Ron Kalifa becomes their new chairman. Sportsmail has received complaints from people involved in the process to replace former chairman ian Watmore, with the key position still vacant almost eight months after his resignation. the ECB board have opted to re-open applications after the governing body’s nominations committee rejected all three candidates on their shortlist last week despite a lengthy recruitment process. Kalifa was chair of the nominations committee but has since declared that he wants the job himself, leading to complaints of a conflict of interest. ‘it’s unprecedented for the chair of a nominations committee to then enter the running,’ a source familiar with the process said. ‘it’s not a good look for a sport that is already under pressure regarding its governance and regulation. it feels like it’s been a stitch-up from the start. ‘there were suggestions as long ago as October that Ron Kalifa was interested in the job, which dissuaded many people from applying, but he was adamant he didn’t want it. Were there really no other qualified candidates in the whole of the country? Will Ron’s candidacy simply be waved through now?’ the ECB board met last night and decided to re-open the process, with non-executive director Brenda trenowden replacing Kalifa as chair of the nominations committee. Lord’s insiders accept that the process looks ‘messy’, but reject accusations that the plan was for Kalifa to stand all along. Kalifa described himself as a reluctant candidate due to the volume of his other work, and claims he was persuaded to apply by other board members. the convoluted recruitment process began last October. Kalifa chaired two of three formal interviews with all three candidates alongside other members of the ECB Board. He is understood to have the support of the ECB Board but could face a backlash from the 18 county chairs, whose rebellion ended Watmore’s reign after just 18 months. ‘i don’t think the person charged with leading a recruitment process should end up winning the process,’ one county chair said. ‘it’s not the way i would have run things.’