Dave Richardson: ICC to avoid FIFA-style corruption in cricket

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  • CEO David Richardson recognises believes match-fixing is the ICC's biggest challenge.

    The FBI-led investigation into the alleged corrupt dealings of FIFA has led many other sports to reflect on their own affairs, and cricket is no different.

    FIFA has been thrown into disarray after high-profile arrests were made ahead of last week’s presidential election. Sepp Blatter was controversially re-elected but then stepped down days later as accusations of systemic corruption were levelled at world football’s governing body. 

    ICC chief executive David Richardson is among the sporting leaders who have engaged in internal introspection and he has now moved to reassure cricket fans that the game’s governing body is clean. 

    “I am absolutely confident that during my time at the ICC I have never seen any evidence whatsoever of any kind of back-handers, payments being made that should not have been made or any of the charges that are associated with the FIFA investigation,” Richardson told Sport 360 (did he?)

    Cricket is of course not whiter than white, with its biggest corruption issues stemming from external organisations as crooked bookmakers and businessmen attempt to influence cricket results and specific moments in play. 

    In 2000 Hansie Cronje of South Africa was given a life ban for match-fixing.

    Richardson himself experienced the ugly side of cricket first hand as part of South Africa’s infamous team in 2000. Their captain Hanse Cronje was convicted of match-fixing and a number of other incidents were unearthed soon after, with India’s Mohammad Azharuddin and Saleem Malik of Pakistan also found guilty. 

    Former Proteas wicket-keeper Richardson recognises that preventing match-fixing has been one of the biggest challenges the ICC has faced. 

    “We must not be naïve to the dangers of match-fixing,” Richardson said. “Every full-member nation now has somebody on the board whose responsibility is anti-corruption. These people have access to all the necessary information to best prevent these crimes happening.”

    In 2010, scandal reared its head again when three leading Pakistan players were questioned by Scotland Yard and subsequently suspended by the ICC over spot-fixing charges.  

    However Richardson, who has been in his position since 2012, believes that the sport has turned a corner with regards to the integrity of a small minority of players who brought the game into disrepute.

    “Any approach made to players is seemingly now reported,” Richardson added. “Even approaches that turn out to be innocent are reported, so the players are very much on board

    “Yes, there is a threat out there of people trying to fix matches, but they are coming up against a brick wall because the players are not interested.”

    One area of cricket not directly governed by ICC’s anti-corruption code is spring-up tournaments such as the IPL, Big Bash League and the new Masters Champions League in the UAE.  

    These tournaments have to be sanctioned by the national cricket board (and ICC member) of the country in question but Richardson revealed that the ICC would have no hesitation in taking action against a tournament should allegations of corruption arise.

    “Those matches are not subject to our anti-corruption code, they haven’t signed any contract with the ICC. But if we hear any evidence that there is any corruption in a tournament then we will disapprove and any players participating in those tournaments would be in a way suspended from functioning within the official cricket world.

    “Although there might be betting in these tournaments but that does not mean there will necessarily be fixing.”

    As the commercial value of global sport continues to grow, so does the threat of people who seek to cheat the system and profit illegally from its popularity. 

    Cricket has learnt this lesson the hard way and while doubt continues to linger for many as to the authenticity of certain fixtures, leaders like Richardson appear to be repairing the sport’s tarnished reputation slowly but surely. 

    FIFA must now learn from cricket and install a leader who is transparent and thorough in his quest to rid the sport of corruption and regain the trust of its fans.

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