Sussex put in special measures as financial missteps raise alarm

Sussex have been placed in special measures by the England and Wales Cricket Board due to alleged financial mismanagement and breaches of the governing body’s sustainability regulations.

- Matt Hughes All Martin

It is understood that the county is in the process of signing up to an ECB business plan, which will include strict limits on their spending, with any significant outgoings such as player signings or registrations requiring approval from Lord’s.

The ECB will also monitor Sussex’s financial returns, and observe board and committee meetings.

ECB officials are understood to have visited Sussex last Thursday for discussions over the finer details of the business plan, with dialogue ongoing. The club could face further disciplinary action, including a significant fine and possible points deduction in this season’s County Championship, if they are also found to have breached the ECB’s county partnership agreement (CPA), which governs the allocation of central funding to the 18 first-class counties.