Soon, ICC anti-corruption officials disguised as illegal bookmakers could approach cricketers, but the move may face strong opposition from member boards since it will be a breach of privacy
Soon, ICC anti-corruption officials disguised as illegal bookmakers could approach cricketers, but the move may face strong opposition from member boards since it will be a breach of privacy
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has acknowledged a report in the Sydney Morning Herald that the governing body of cricket is pondering the use of undercover agents posing as illegal bookmakers who will in turn approach cricketers to see if they report the encounters to the team management.u00a0
If the plan is approved at ICC's next meeting, undercover operatives could approach players in the near future.
Those who don't report the approaches would be penalised under the anti-corruption code, with sanctions ranging from fines to suspensions. It is learnt that the ICC is inspired by the sting operation completed by a 'News of the World' journalist few months back to nail the Pakistani trio during the Lord's Test.
An ICC official confirmed to MiD DAY yesterday that the plan is in its initial stages and was discussed during the ICC Board meeting in Cape Town recently. "We have come to understand that only three or four cricketers have come forward when approached by an illegal bookmaker. This is quite unsettling, and thus such plans have been proposed. This is purely the first phase, we need more people to get on board with the idea," he said.
Final call
"The Executive Board needs to take a final call and it is up to ICC to implement this decision. All 10 member boards will continue to discuss such possibilities in the next meeting in January," the ICC official added. "Each member body of the ICC is keen on cleaning up corruption and this is just one of the plans."
In the past 18 months, Australia's Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, Brett Lee and David Warner have reported approaches from suspicious characters. "ICC appreciates the courage displayed by them, and hope more players in the future will leave no stone unturned to corporate with ICC to fight corruption. We can win this battle only if players oblige."
"The BCCI is a member of the ICC Board, but is not in a position to reveal what was discussed at the meeting," said BCCI President Shashank Manohar. The ICC is an autonomous body that governs cricket, not a body that has powers vested in them by the law of the state. Senior advocate Sudhir Nanavati said: "Sting operations conducted by television channels, newspapers or even ICC are not considered by the evidence act of law.
"They act as a form of evidence for authorities to probe into. However, they are not considered hard evidence.
If ICC carries out a sting, they need the help of local authorities to punish the offender. Likewise, no player is directly affiliated with ICC. Hence, it does not have the legal right to take action. They can only provide evidence to the player's respective cricket board."
The ICC official said that the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ASCU) would have to be vested with more powers. "If we get a consensus on this proposal, more people will need to join ASCU. It will have to directly deal with local security agencies," he said.
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