ICC threatens to put USA Cricket on notice for non-compliance of rules

Less than a month after co-hosting the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, the USA Cricket (USAC) has landed in the hot water once again. The ICC has reportedly warned the cricket board, stating that it is in danger of being "put on notice" for non-compliance with its Associate membership status.

Last month, the USA and the West Indies co-hosted the ninth edition of the T20 World Cup. An ICC event was held on the American soil for the very first time. The USA hosted a total of 16 games across three venues during the T20 World Cup. And just days after the historic event, its cricket board is in trouble once again.

USAC has reportedly breached two rules, according to a report in ESPNcricinfo. The first one is USAC not fulfilling the governance norms set by the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC). Fulfilling the norms is necessary for the USAC to earn the National Governing Body (NGB) status, which is mandatory for all sports that were last year added to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Secondly, the ICC has warned the USAC for not having a "fit-for purpose administrative structure". The cricket board is yet to fill the vacant CEO position after sacking the previous CEO.

"USA Cricket is currently Non-compliant with ICC Associate Member Membership Criteria 2.2(b)(i) (governance structure) and 2.2 (b)(ii) (administrative and executive structure) and is at risk of being placed 'On Notice'," the ICC said in a note addressed to all of its members attending the Annual General Meeting this week.

ICC warns USAC:

In its note, the ICC highlighted the concerns expressed by the USOPC regarding the governance model of the USAC. The USAC has not yet breached any ICC membership criteria so far but is in danger of doing it if it does not achieve the NGB certification.

"The USOPC has written to the USAC expressing serious concerns about the ongoing governance of USAC. Whilst this does not put USAC in breach of ICC Membership Criteria, it reflects broader concerns regarding USAC's governance.

"However, USOPC have stated if USAC do not achieve NGB certification, they will be required to commence a process to recognise an alternate NGB for cricket, which could put USAC in breach of ICC Membership Criteria to be "recognized by the ICC (at its absolute discretion) as the primary governing body responsible for the administration, management and development of cricket (men's and women's) in its country," stated the ICC.

Earlier this year, the ICC had warned the USAC over several issues following the quarterly meeting in March. Even at that time, the ICC had told USAC that it was not taking enough steps to become USOPC compliant.