JERSEY – A talk on the ICC's “Anti-Corruption Efforts in Cricket” and keeping cricket clean.

FRIDAY 29 AUGUST I attended a fascinating presentation about “Anti-Corruption Efforts in cricket”, which was delivered by Mr. David Spy, Anti-Corruption Manager at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Anti-Corruption Unit

 HERE IS WHAT I LEARNT:-

• Cricket and its players often find themselves in the spotlight, both for their on-field performances and off-field actions. Over the years, the sport has been in the news for both positive highlights and serious controversies.
• Several top international cricketers have faced bans due to issues like match-fixing, spot-fixing, or not reporting corrupt approaches. (see below for those caught)
• The ICC Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) is the global watchdog tasked with protecting the integrity of international cricket.  

THE ACU OPERATE GLOBALLY AS FOLLOWS:-

The ACU

• Is headquartered in Dubai, but its network spans across cricket-playing nations, including India, South Africa, England, Pakistan, New Zealand, and more.
• Support Associate Members like the UAE, Nepal, and Scotland in building their own anti-corruption frameworks.

The ACU also operate

• Globally, across all ICC-sanctioned international matches.
• Domestically, through partnerships with national cricket boards (e.g., BCCI, ECB, CA).
• On-site, with Anti-Corruption Managers (ACMs) present at venues and team hotels.
• Digitally, monitoring online betting markets and social media platforms.

THE ACU MISSION AND FOCUS?

1. The ICC ACU's mission is to prevent, disrupt, investigate, and prosecute corruption in cricket. Their focus includes:
1. Match-fixing and spot-fixing
2. Betting-related corruption
3. Player grooming and manipulation
4. Use of social media and communication apps for corrupt approaches
5. Education and awareness for players and officials

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES 

1. Betting Market Complexity
1. Cricket is the most bet-on sport globally, with vast sums wagered on matches.
2. The rise of online and in-play betting, especially in unregulated markets, makes monitoring and intervention difficult.
2. Sophisticated Corruptors
1. Fixers use grooming tactics and trusted insiders to approach players.
2. Their methods evolve to avoid detection, posing a persistent threat to the sport's integrity.
3. Technology & Communication Apps
1. Encrypted messaging apps and social media are increasingly used for corrupt approaches, complicating monitoring and evidence collection.
4. Proliferation of T20 Leagues
1. The rapid growth of domestic and franchise T20 leagues, particularly in emerging cricket nations, introduces new vulnerabilities due to inconsistent anti-corruption infrastructure.
5. Spot-Fixing & Micro-Fixing
1. Manipulation of small, specific events within matches is more complex to detect and prove, especially when outcomes are unaffected.
6. Legal & Jurisdictional Gaps
1. Inconsistent legal frameworks across countries limit the ACU’s ability to prosecute offenders and enforce disciplinary actions.
2. For example:- Match fixing is not illegal in India!!
7. Education & Awareness Gaps
1. Lower-tier and associate players often lack awareness of corruption risks, making them more susceptible to manipulation.
8. Resource Constraints
1. The ACU has a global mandate but limited personnel and resources, making comprehensive monitoring and enforcement challenging.

HOW DO THEY DO IT?

THE ACU OPERATES THROUGH A MULTI-LAYERED STRATEGY:

1. Prevention
   1. Conducts education sessions for players, coaches, and officials.
   2. Shares guidelines on how to identify and report corrupt approaches.
   3. Enforces minimum standards at venues (e.g., no mobile phones in dressing rooms).
2. Disruption
   1. Monitors suspicious behaviour and betting patterns.
   2. Works with domestic ACUs and law enforcement to intervene early.
3. Investigation
   1. Gathers intelligence from players, officials, and external sources.
   2. Uses former law enforcement professionals to conduct investigations.
   3. Maintains a hotline for reporting suspicious activity.
4. Prosecution
   1. Refers cases to disciplinary committees or legal authorities.
   2. Supports legal proceedings under national laws (e.g., Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports Act).
5. Cricketers Caught in Corruption
   1. Here are some notable cases of corruption in cricket, including match-fixing, spot-fixing, and failure to report corrupt approaches.
   2. It is intended for training and awareness purposes to highlight the importance of integrity in the sport.

Further reading and sources

• About ICC Anti-Corruption | About ICC Cricket | ICC https://www.icc-cricket.com/about/integrity/anti-corruption/about-us
• https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/meet-the-team-anti-corruption-intelligence-investigations
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cricketers_banned_for_corruption
• https://www.thecricketpanda.com/international-cricketers-who-got-banned/
• https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-appeal/10-scandals-involving-match-fixing-spot-fixing-and-corruption-that-rocked-cricket/