The conclusion of Betway’s sponsorship contract with Cricket South Africa was not related to David Teeger being stripped of the SA U19 captaincy.
CSA made the decision ahead of the U19 World Cup in South Africa for “safety and security reasons”, relating to pro-Israel comments Teeger made when receiving the Rising Star of the Absa Jewish Achiever Awards.
It has been reported that CSA caved in to political pressure from the South African government.
Online gambling giants Betway sponsored the recent series between the Proteas and India, and are the title sponsor of the SA20 tournament.
“CSA is seriously alienating sponsors and prospective sponsors,” a highly placed cricket source told Rapport newspaper.
It was reported that Betway representatives conveyed their dissatisfaction to CSA administrators and the chances of Betway sponsoring CSA tournaments or series – apart from the SA20 – are apparently slim.
However, sources have since confirmed that Betway’s sponsorship deal with the CSA ended on 8 January, four days prior to the SA U19 captaincy decision, and therefore had nothing to do with the controversy.
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