Marsh sacking to cost Over Rs.41 Million
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The hasty and foolhardy action of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officials to sack former Australian cricket star Geoff Marsh as Sri Lanka national cricket coach is about to cost a mini fortune to the institution which is already struggling for financial breath. Many cricket personalities such as Arjuna Ranatunga, Tom Moody and Mahela Jayawardene pointed out that the unceremonious dumping given to Marsh was highly unethical but now the legal experts have determined that it was also not lawful. Marsh worked for less than four months as the national coach before being sacked on January 25, but the SLC will have to cough out his salary at least for two years, as he had signed a contract for that period. Marsh has demanded a cool US $ 250,000 (Rs. 33.5 million) to go with the US $ 60,000 (Rs. 8.04 million) SLC has already paid and if the opinion of SLC’s legal advisor is to be believed, SLC would be lucky to escape with that figure of more than Rs. 41.54 million
The lawyer consulted on the matter by SLC has informed them that Marsh’s contract which was valid from October 1, 2011 to September 30, 2013 could be terminated with three month’s notice but only due to misconduct or breach of employment terms. The lawyer felt that since there was no evidence to suggest those reasons, Marsh is entitled to the entirety of the remuneration for the contracted period. The lawyer has very clearly pointed out that the contract Marsh signed did not permit SLC to terminate it due to lack of performance.
Even if there was such a provision Marsh could not have been sacked as many analysts felt at the time as the World Cup winning former Australian coach was fresh from leading the Sri Lanka team to an unprecedented Test victory over South Africa when he was removed. Marsh’s lawyer has pointed out that 20 months of Marsh’s employment remained and has said that Marsh is entitled to paid employment for eight months at US $ 15,416 which gives a total of US $ 123,333 plus another one year at US $ 200,000. According to the basic salary alone Marsh is entitled to US $ 323,333.
After deducting the US $ 60,000 SLC had already paid Marsh, the lawyer had pointed out that SLC still had to pay Marsh US $ 263,333. The lawyer has also pointed out that SLC had wrongfully and unlawfully failed to ensure due remittances of the EPF and ETF contributions due to Marsh. SLC President Upali Dharmadasa said yesterday that the SLC lawyers have already sent a reply to Marsh’s lawyers. “Marsh had sent a letter of demand and I believe our lawyers have replied it,” he said. A former SLC official said that it is all business as usual for the SLC.
“Colossal legal fees due to bad governance is a feature in the history of SLC. So legal fees to fight another case and paying damages afterwards is quite routine there. Who cares?”, he asked adding “after all, it is not the personal money of any of the officials who took a stupid wrong decision.” He pointed out that SLC would be paying salaries to two national coaches at the same time for the next two years. One coach, Graham Ford, will be paid to do the job while Marsh will be paid to stay away.
Former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga called the move "disgraceful" and "unprofessional" when Marsh was sacked in January. Another former Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody tweeted that Marsh had been “sold down the river” while the current Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene pointed out four months was hardly enough for Marsh to prove his worth. Marsh was replaced by South African Graham Ford, who became Sri Lanka's fourth coach since Australian Trevor Bayliss quit after the World Cup final in April 2011.
- By Channaka De Silva
IPL 2013
It was obvious Marsh did not deserve to be sacked. The whole cricketing world was shocked at the way he was unceremoniously bundled out to make way for Sanath’s ex coach in S Africa. All this is Sanath’s doings and the nincompoop Sports Minister and SLC president who pay lip service to Sanath. Money goes down the drain especially on legal fees and it is the poor players who suffer as a result. Upali the president must resign if he has a semblance of dignity and respect.
Ranjan Rodrigo Sydney
Ha ha ha ha …. this this excellent news to wake up the stupid political goons who ruin this game for their own benefits. Played with the wrong guy and a wrong country that maintains law above the criminals, cooperate murders and politicians.
wHO ARE THESE IDIOTS RNNING SLC. sRI LANKA’S WEALTHIEST SPORT INSTITUTION IS RUN BY SET OF IDIOTS. wHO ARE THEY? NAME AND SHAME. DON’T PAY THEM FOR NEXT TWO YEARS. THEN WE CAN RECOVER THIS TWICE OVER.
Come on SLC pay it. This will be only an addition to the vast amount of public funds squandered, ie: Mihin Air, UL Air Lines, National Savings Bank, EPF., etc, increasing the burden on the people. Who cares for the people. Those who are in charge have all the powers to squander as they want.
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When the SE Asian youth games were held recently in Sugathadasa stadium, a Chinese athlete offered his pair of shoes to a poor sri lankan athlete who could not afford one. This is the true picture of current state of sports in Sri Lanka. Now the GOSL has obtained to host Asian youth games in Hambantota in 2017 in which the cost could easily top a Billion Dollars for infrastructure and to host it, while many athletes cannot afford a pair of running shoes. Bad management, bad priorities, bad planning and bad governance and experience. SLC has definitely need to pay total Geoff Marsh’s dues.
The swines of SLC with the sports minister should pay the money to Marsh out of their own pocket.