ICC to investigate allegations of fake cricket matches in France to receive funding: Reports

Amidst the craze of the ongoing ODI World Cup, a piece of shocking news has reached the doors of the International Cricket Council (ICC). A matter of fake cricket being played in the country of France has been reported to the cricket's governing body. ICC has taken the matter seriously and will investigate the whole issue deeply. 

3 things you need to know 

• Cricket is one of the most played sports in the world 
• England, Netherlands, and Ireland are some of the prominent European teams that offer their presence in international Cricket
• France receives a lot of funds from the ICC for the spread of Cricket in the country 

ALSO READ | 'ICC is ruled by India': SL MP demands investigation following Sri Lanka's poor performance in WC

France Stages Fake Cricket games to receive funds from ICC: Reports

As per an exclusive report from French News agency France 24, France has staged and organized fake Cricket games to receive regular funds from the ICC for the expansion of women's cricket in the country. Tracy Rodriguez, who is a regular member of the France Cricket, brought the issue to the limelight. ICC has taken the matter seriously and will soon conduct an investigation. Rodriguez was elected to the board in the year 2021 but left her post this year.

She left the board to investigate the claims of whether enough women's cricket matches were being played or not. However, when she went to the ground she found no activity. Tracy Rodriguez said to French 24: 

Two or three times I [went] there, people were having picnics and kids cycling around at the time of the games. Then the day after I would see the results of the games online. 

ALSO READ | Australia T20Is: Hardik Pandya unlikely to be available, one among Surya or Ruturaj to lead

Men's cricket coach puts huge allegations on clubs

The report further mentioned the statement of a local men's cricket club coach, James Worestead and alleged that many clubs cheat and pretend to have a women's team. He said: 

Most clubs cheat, they pretend to have a women's team. They pay for licences and then they fake score sheets online … We have refused to fake matches and that means that even if we qualify we're likely to never be able to get a promotion. 

The report further added that France Cricket will be fined if the clubs fail to prepare teams.