players received threats that they could be killed
Cricket Canada has been suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) over what it described as “serious breaches of its membership obligations”.
The suspension also comes amid growing concerns that Cricket Canada is being influenced by members of a gang that operates from an Indian prison cell.
The ICC confirmed the suspension following a board meeting in Ahmedabad, India, on May 31.
The decision comes weeks after Cricket Canada’s funding was frozen in May amid concerns over governance and financial oversight.
According to the ICC, the national governing body failed to meet key membership requirements, including maintaining adequate governance systems and filing audited financial statements.
In a statement, Cricket Canada’s new interim chief operating officer, Bhavjit Jauhar, described the suspension as “unexpected” but said the organisation would not contest the ruling.
Instead, he said Cricket Canada “remains fully committed to meeting all compliance requirements”.
Jauhar also confirmed that an independent investigation would examine the organisation’s governance structure and financial controls.
The suspension follows a series of allegations made public by CBC’s investigative programme Fifth Estate, which reported claims of corruption, coercion, match-fixing and other misconduct within Cricket Canada.
The broadcaster’s investigation alleged that certain players received preferential treatment and were rapidly promoted through the ranks, including into leadership positions.
Senior staff also reportedly accused figures within the organisation of directing aspects of matches to be fixed.
One member of Canada’s national team told CBC that some players were expected to progress quickly through the system, including reaching the role of captain.
The investigation further claimed that players received threats that they could be killed if they refused to cooperate.
The allegations emerge against a backdrop of increasingly sophisticated sports betting markets, where wagers can be placed on specific moments in a match, including player errors and batting orders.
In February, Canada’s captain was questioned by the ICC’s anti-corruption unit after an error during the early stages of a match against New Zealand led to allegations of match-fixing.
Reports have also linked corruption allegations within Canadian cricket to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
The gang has been connected to several killings and attempted assassinations in Canada.
Police have suspected members of the Bishnoi gang of involvement in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the Sikh activist who was shot dead outside a gurdwara in British Columbia in 2023.
The gang has also been linked to the killing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala, who was shot dead near his village in Punjab in 2022.
Canada’s federal government recently designated the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity.
Federal officials said the organisation uses “murder, shootings and arson” to extort and intimidate members of diaspora communities. Authorities have also alleged links between the gang and India’s ruling government.
Despite the suspension, the ICC said Canadian players and teams would not be punished for issues affecting the national governing body.
Canadian teams will remain eligible to compete in ICC-sanctioned events while Cricket Canada works towards reinstatement.
The ICC said Cricket Canada will continue to receive limited financial support for national teams through a controlled funding mechanism overseen by the governing body.
The organisation will also be provided with a set of conditions that must be met before its membership can be restored.
According to the ICC, reinstatement will depend on Cricket Canada satisfying those requirements to the board’s satisfaction.
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