London: The International Cricket Council has launched an urgent investigation following allegations by an Indian television station that several umpires were willing to fix matches for money. India TV on Monday broadcast footage of a sting operation - undertaken by undercover reporters in July, August and September - that purportedly exposes six international-level umpires from Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The ICC said none of the six officiated in any official matches at the World Twenty20, which finished on Sunday and was won by West Indies.
The ICC and its relevant members have been made aware of the allegations made by India TV this evening and calls on the station to turn over any information which can assist ICC's urgent investigations into this matter, the ICC said in a statement. The ICC re-iterates its zero-tolerance toward corruption whether alleged against players or officials.
India TV identified the umpires in the sting and said three of them agreed to give favourable decisions, including in the warm-up matches for the World Twenty20. Another was filmed in the sting — called Operation World Cup — promising to revolt against Sri Lankan cricket, and the fifth official was willing to ensure decisions would be given in favour of India. It is not clear what tournament or matches the two umpires were referring to.
The sixth umpire reportedly shared the pitch and toss reports as well as playing line-ups for the warm-up match between England and Australia on September 17 in exchange
02:49 AM, Jul 05, 2008
