Cricket Canada suspends CEO, citing 'negativity' around fraud charge

Cricket Canada has suspended chief executive officer Salman Khan effective immediately, albeit "with full pay and benefits."

"This step is non-disciplinary and has been taken solely to preserve the integrity of the organization and to ensure procedural fairness," Cricket Canada president Amjad Bajwa said in a brief statement.

In March, Khan and another man were charged with theft and fraud over $5,000 arising from their time with the Calgary and District Cricket League.

Khan, in a social media post via the Alberta Cricket Association at the time, called the allegations "completely false."

"Let me make this clear: They have nothing to prove against me; I am not worried at all. I'm ready to fight just like I've been doing for the past eight years."

Asked about Khan's suspension, Bajwa, in an interview, cited "negativity because of him."

While the charges have not been proven in court, they are influencing the organization, he added.

Cricket Canada said an independent special committee, working in consultation with the organization's executive committee and external legal counsel, planned a "comprehensive review." It did not specify what is being reviewed.

"Cricket Canada remains fully committed to its vision, mission, players, and to the communities and partners across the Canadian cricket ecosystem," added the five-paragraph statement that carried the headline Cricket Canada Announces Leadership Transition and Strengthened Governance Priorities.

In a separate move, Cricket Canada was suspended from the Canadian Safe Sport Program last week with the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport citing failure to meet participant e-learning and consent requirements. The organization has since been reinstated, with CCES