Dubai: A cricketer who is playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 in the UAE, has ‘reported a corrupt approach’, imposing BCCI’s anti-corruption unit (ACU) on a high alert. This year’s IPL is being held in the UAE in bio-secure surroundings, the tournament was shifted to the UAE due to the uprising COVID-19 cases in India.
BCCI ACU chief Ajit Singh confirmed the development to PTI. “Yes (a player has reported approach),” Singh, the former DGP of Rajasthan Police confirmed the news. “We are tracking him. It will take some time,” he said. When asked if the alleged ‘corruptor or person of Interest’ has been nabbed.
As per anti-corruption agreements, the identity of the player either Indian or overseas or franchise is not disclosed for private purposes. With players and support staff lodging in a bio-bubble, unlike other years, the ACU is focusing more on the possibly online corruption approaches or appeals.
Most of the players, especially the younger ones are mainly on social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter where unknown people impersonate as fans try to befriend them.
A senior BCCI official said all the players whether overseas or Indian international, uncapped domestic players have all attended multiple anti-corruption classes. “The best part is that the player who was approached immediately sensed that something was fishy. He had a suspicion and he immediately shared his concerns with the ACU. Every player, even those who have come from the U-19s are well aware of each and every anti-corruption protocols,” the BCCI official, privy to the development, told PTI on the condition of anonymity.
This year due to health safety protocols, the ACU had arranged its compulsory counselling or sitting sessions virtually for all the eight teams. Singh is leading an eight-man team in the UAE. The BCCI has roped in with UK-based company Sportradar, which will offer its ‘integrity services’ to stop and prevent betting and other corrupt practices during the upcoming IPL through its Fraud Detection Services (FDS).
