ICC warns Sierra Leone players on betting corruption ahead of Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier
Players were briefed on common approaches used by corrupt actors.
Sierra Leone.- The Sierra Leone national cricket team has received an International Cricket Council (ICC) integrity briefing ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier in Gaborone, Botswana, with a strong focus on betting-related corruption risks in cricket.
The session, delivered to players and team officials before the tournament opener against hosts Botswana, focused on corruption risks linked to betting, including match-fixing, spot-fixing and the misuse of insider information associated with online sports betting markets.
Players were briefed on common approaches used by corrupt actors, including unsolicited contact through social media and messaging platforms, requests for team information and attempts to influence specific moments within matches. They were instructed to reject any such approaches and report them immediately through ICC Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) reporting channels.
The ICC Anti-Corruption Unit, which oversees integrity matters across international cricket, maintains a 24-hour reporting system and works with national boards and law enforcement agencies to investigate suspected breaches. It has repeatedly warned that the rapid growth of mobile and in-play betting markets has increased exposure to corruption risks, particularly in associate-level competitions.
Players were reminded that even failing to report suspicious contact is considered a breach of ICC anti-corruption regulations, which carries sanctions including bans from the sport depending on severity.
The briefing also covered anti-doping requirements under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code, including testing procedures and strict liability rules that hold players responsible for any prohibited substances found in their system.
The ICC says education remains central to its strategy for reducing corruption and doping violations in cricket. Its integrity programme includes prevention campaigns, investigations and awareness sessions for both Full Members and Associate Members.
