Several new corruption investigations have been confirmed to be underway by the International Cricket Council (ICC) following the interception of a number of known corruptors at the Qatar T10 league.
The ICC Anti-Corruption Unit was appointed by the Qatar T10 organisers as the designated Anti-Corruption unit, with two officials now being deployed into the country after a large number of changes occurred in team ownership immediately prior to the launch of the league on 7 December.
Alex Marshall General Manager, ICC Integrity Unit stated: “The ICC sanctioned this event 12 months ago based on the sound information provided by the organisers. However substantial changes to both team ownership and the organisers just days prior to the event getting underway rang alarm bells for us and we applied additional investigative resource on the ground to address our concerns.
“As a result we have intercepted a number of known corruptors both in Qatar and globally and disrupted planned corrupt activity at the event. This has given rise to a number of new investigations for the ICC ACU team as we continue in our efforts to ensure cricket is a corruption free sport.”
Due to the betting-linked corruption investigation, some bookmakers were forced to remove Qatar T10 markets halfway through the competition, however at the time no explanation was provided regarding why this decision was taken.
The event, which received approval by the ICC 12 months ago, was intended to be the inaugural edition of the league which involved six teams, with 24 international cricketers, 12 players from associate ICC countries, Qatari national team players and other local players.
The final of the tournament took place earlier in the week in Doha and saw the Falcon Hunters run out victories over the Swift Gallopers by four wickets.
