ICC suspends six umpires

Three Sri Lankan umpires among a group of six that have had allegations of match fixing levelled against them were suspended by the cricket world governing body on Wednesday. All six umpires that were included in a sting operation by India TV were part of the group.  

The International Cricket Council (ICC) issuing a media release stated, “ICC and its relevant Full Member Boards have agreed not to appoint any of the umpires named in a sting operation recently conducted by India TV to any domestic or international cricket matches pending the outcome of the ongoing investigations into the allegations made.”

It added that the officials named are not contracted by the ICC and those boards who employ and nominate the umpires directly will conduct the investigations as a “matter of urgency.”

On Monday, India TV broadcast what they said was footage of six umpires who were caught on camera agreeing to fix matches in the T20 World Cup.

Subsequently it was revealed that none of the six, including two umpires from Pakistan and one from Bangladesh, were involved with the recently concluded World Cup.

However, the ICC has ordered investigations into the allegations and called on India TV to handover any information that would assist the probe.

“The ICC reiterates its zero tolerance towards corruption whether alleged against players or officials,” the organisation said in a statement on Monday.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) pledged to investigate the claims, acknowledging they involved “a Bangladeshi international panel umpire.”

“The BCB has a zero-tolerance policy to issues related to corruption in the game and is committed to holding a thorough inquiry into the matter,” it said in a statement.

All six umpires have vehemently denied the accusations.      

Meanwhile Sri Lanka’s Cricket Board pledged to help the ICC investigation although one official rejected the allegations as a smear. “We will fully cooperate with the anti-corruption unit of the ICC,” Sri Lanka Cricket Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga had told AFP.

“We have zero tolerance for corruption and match fixing and we take a very strong view on that, but at the same time I must say that we have the highest confidence in our players and officials.” Ranatunga stressed none of the umpires had stood in the World T20 tournament.

India TV chairman Rajat Sharma has insisted the sting was authentic. “Of course, we stand by our story because we have everything on tape and we have the proof,” Sharma told AFP in New Delhi.