ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit Launches Full Investigation Following 'Fixing' Allegations By Al Jazeera

The world cricket governing body International Cricket Council (ICC) has launched its investigation in the wake of the sensational sting operation done by the broadcasting giant Al Jazeera.

In the investigative documentary, “Cricket’s match-fixers,“ the news outlet showed former players and ground-staff were seen promising undercover reporters of rigging matches.

Former Pakistan international, Hasan Raza was one of those individuals caught on the camera alongside Robin Morris. Raza could be seen explaining few other men about facilitating spot-fixing in Twenty20 tournaments.

In the video, the Pakistani cricketer could be seen seated next to Morris, a former professional cricketer from Mumbai. Both Raza and Morris had played together for Mumbai Champs in the now-defunct Indian Cricket League (ICL) between 2007-08.

Morris then explained how they are planning to set up a corrupt tournament in Dubai. He said no A-grade players will play but he can bring in B, C, and D grade players.

Another individual also claimed the outcome of England’s Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, starting in November, can be influenced. It alleged the pitch can be doctored so that a draw is impossible.

Al Jazeera also revealed the name of two Sri Lankan involved – Tharindu Mendis (former first-class player) and Tharanga Indika (Assistant manager of Galle cricket stadium).

The duo promised to prepare the pitch according to the needs of an undercover journalist posing as a businessman.

During the conversation, Indika also claimed to have doctored the Test pitches in the past. He claimed he had altered the surface for India and Australian Test in 2017 and 2016.

With the video causing an outrage all around, the ICC did not take long to initiate its investigation.

“A full investigation led by the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit, working with full cooperation from all Member countries identified in the programme, is now underway to examine each claim made,” the ICC release added.

ICC maintained it is investigating the matter with utmost urgency. At the same time, it also stated that the channel is not cooperating in the matter.

“We have been in ongoing dialogue with the broadcaster which has refused our continual requests to cooperate. And share information which has hampered our investigation to date,” ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit General Manager Alex Marshal said in a statement.

 

“The content of the programme is, of course, useful to the investigation. But I would now urge the production team to provide us with all un-edited and unseen evidence they are in possession of. To enable us to expedite a thorough investigation,” he added.

 

“Given this is a live investigation and one that is likely to be subject to the legal process – it is not possible to provide any further comment,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said it would wait for the outcome of the ICC’s investigation before taking any action against Robin Morris.

“The BCCI anti-corruption unit is working closely with the ICC anti-corruption unit on the alleged claims by a television channel,” stated a release from the BCCI.

 

“We believe the ICC has started its probe. Let them complete that and pronounce Morris guilty. The BCCI will only act when they have the verdict in hand,” an office-bearer of the BCCI told news agency PTI.

The official also said that Morris is currently not a part of any BCCI projects. The Mumbai player played 51 List A matches during his career.

“We need to check with our Anti Corruption Unit (ACU) whether Morris’ name was there on the suspect list. Secondly, he is not associated with any BCCI or state unit project currently from where we need to pull him out. So the only thing left is BCCI domestic cricketers’ pension of Rs 22,500 (after deductions). If he is getting that pension, BCCI is well within its rights to cancel that,” the official said.

Morris has reportedly denied any wrongdoing. However, he has turned his mobile phone off and deleted his account from social media.