Cricket Team Manager Indicted for Match-Fixing in Legend Cricket League

Cricket Team Manager Indicted for Match-Fixing in Legend Cricket League 2024

Yoni Patel, the team manager of the Legend Cricket League 2024, has been indicted before the Colombo High Court on charges of match-fixing. The indictment stems from allegations made by former New Zealand legend Neil Broom and Sri Lankan cricketer Upul Tharanga, who claimed they were pressured into engaging in match-fixing deals by Patel.

According to the initial investigations, an alleged match-fixer approached players with offers of money to underperform and manipulate the outcome of matches. The allegations have cast a shadow over the Legend Cricket League, which featured seven teams comprising retired international cricketers from England, Australia, India, Pakistan, New Zealand, and the West Indies.

The tournament, held from March 8 to 19 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, was intended to rival the Legends championship titled the Road Safety series in India. However, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) was not officially involved in the tournament and only provided the venue.

The indictment against Patel is a significant development in the ongoing investigation into match-fixing in the Legend Cricket League. The Colombo Magistrate had previously issued a travel ban on Patel and another team manager, P. Akash, to prevent them from leaving Sri Lanka.

The allegations of match-fixing have raised concerns about the integrity of the sport and the need for stringent measures to combat corruption. The indictment of Patel sends a strong message that match-fixing will not be tolerated and that those involved will be held accountable.

Tags: #MatchFixing, #LegendCricketLeague, #YoniPatel, #NeilBroom, #UpulTharanga