Sydney, Apr 28: Former ICC President Malcolm Gray says Malcolm Speed`s premature exit as the CEO of cricket`s world governing body smacks of racial bias and shows that the game`s management is being increasingly influenced by money and power.

Speed was asked to go on paid leave after a "fundamental breakdown" between the Australian and ICC President Ray Mali and member boards over the issue of Zimbabwe Cricket Union`s (ZCU) financial records.

"I think it`s disgraceful. To me it smacks of mismanagement of a man leaving his position. By doing this it just shows there are problems," Gray told `The Age`.

"I suspect parts of the problems ... Have been brought about by the use of power, with the money flowing in, underlying a lot of decisions in international bodies. Regrettably, there are racial connotations," he fumed.

Gray said the episode has sullied the ICC`s image and could have been handled more tactfully.

"Whether it`s a cricket body or a corporation you don`t bare your dirty washing in public if you can help it. In this case I`d have thought it would be completely avoidable," he said.