September 20, 2023 3 min read

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ICC Charges Eight Players and Officials for Breaching Anti-Corruption Rules

The accusations stem from activities during the 2021 Abu Dhabi T10 Cricket League after unsuccessful attempts to corrupt matches

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has brought charges against eight individuals, including players and officials, for alleged violations of anti-corruption regulations within high-profile cricket games. While the attempts to violate the game’s integrity failed, the alleged activities have led to steep charges. This recent controversy highlights cricket’s mixed relationship with sports betting and the ICC’s careful balancing act as it tries to appease all stakeholders.

Three Athletes Face Significant Penalties

The ICC’s charges implicate several high-profile players like Bangladesh all-rounder Nasir Hossain. Hossain allegedly breached multiple rules, including Article 2.4.3, for failing to disclose the receipt of a gift valued at over $750. Additionally, he is accused of failing to disclose details of corruption approaches (Article 2.4.4) and not cooperating with an investigation into such matters (Article 2.4.6).

Rizwan Javed and Sri Lanka’s Saliya Saman are two more individuals facing similar accusations, allegedly breaching Article 2.1.1 for being party to an attempt to fix matches, and Article 2.1.4, addressing the facilitation of participants to contrive matches. If true, these accusations could seriously impact the athletes’ careers, potentially leading to severe punishments.

Several Officials Are Also in Deep Trouble

The same case also included accusations against coaching staff and other officials like Krishan Kumar Chaudhary and Parag Sanghvi, co-owners of the Pune Devils. Chaudhary reportedly failed to cooperate with authorities and actively disrupted corruption investigations. Meanwhile, Sanghvi violated Article 2.2.1, which pertains to placing bets on cricket matches, and also faces charges related to non-cooperation with investigations.

Other individuals involved in the case include batting coach Ashar Zaidi, assistant coach Sunny Dhillon, and team manager Shadab Ahamed. All three face corruption-related charges. Most implicated players and athletes face provisional suspensions and have until 19 September to answer the accusations. The ICC remains silent regarding Hossain and Ahamed, indicating their cases may differ.

Current Integrity Measures May Be Insufficient

Sports betting has a mixed relationship with cricket. Gambling sponsorships and wagering opportunities have significantly bolstered the sport’s popularity. However, the potential for significant winnings has caused a rising integrity problem, forcing the ICC to remain vigilant and pay close attention to potential breaches. Violations can result in bans exceeding ten years, but punishments alone appear insufficient to dissuade match-fixing.

The ICC’s swift actions regarding the recent alleged breaches highlight the governing body’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of cricket. Corruption within the sport remains a rising issue despite steep penalties, as breaches frequently make headlines. Perhaps the ICC should follow other high-profile leagues like the NFL and introduce education and prevention measures, ensuring athletes and staff think twice before going down the wrong path.

Deyan is an experienced writer, analyst, and seeker of forbidden lore. He has approximate knowledge about many things, which he is always willing to apply when researching and preparing his articles. With a degree in Copy-editing and Proofreading, Deyan is able to ensure that his work writing for Gambling News is always up to scratch.

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