Belgavi Panthers Suspended Following Betting Scandal

After the recent arrest of Asfak Ali Thara, now, the respective board suspended Belgavi Panthers for the alleged involvement in the Karnataka Premier League fixing scam. The decision was taken after a meeting on Tuesday by the higher officials of the franchise.

Last month, Thara was arrested by the Karnataka Police’s crime branch for alleged betting during this season’s KPL.

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Ali Asfak Thara was arrested:

Thara was also co-owner of the Kerala Knights franchise in the Abu Dhabi T10 league, and reports suggest that the league has dissociated itself from him after he was booked for gambling under the Karnataka Police Act.

It is understood that the KSCA was waiting for formal communication from the police regarding Thara’s arrest before taking any action. Tharawas arrested last month in connection with an international betting racket in the Karnataka Premier League.

The police have questioned over 30 players in connection with the matter so far. While Thara has been arrested for betting, the police probe into the match-fixing angle is set to continue.

According to Sudhakar Rao, the outgoing KSCA secretary, the decision has been conveyed to the Panthers management orally. “We have to take [some] action. At the moment we have suspended the franchise and the owner,” Rao told ESPNcricinfo.

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According to Rao, the KSCA felt it had to send a message that there was zero tolerance toward corruption in the KPL. “This is a precautionary measure we have taken so that others should not follow these steps.”

Now, the future of the Belgavi Panthers side will decide on the new KSCA administration. They will be taking the final call on the issue after the official report from the police officers regarding the issue.