Middlesex Charged for Inappropriate Behavior Allegations

Middlesex County Cricket Club's off-field woes have escalated with the club facing charges from the Cricket Regulator for breaching ECB Directive 3.3. The charge stems from allegations of inappropriate behavior by the club's chief financial officer, Illa Sharma.

The Cricket Regulator has not named the employee in question, but Middlesex acknowledged Sharma's conduct was under investigation in a recent statement. The Telegraph reported that around 30 current and former Middlesex staff members had been interviewed by the Regulator regarding the charge, which centers on a specific complaint from two years ago.

Two former club employees claimed to have suffered mental health issues due to the alleged misconduct, while others spoke out about a "bullying culture" within the club.

The Cricket Regulator confirmed the charge in a statement, stating that it followed an investigation into an allegation of misconduct by a club employee. The Regulator emphasized that it would not identify the individual concerned.

ECB Directive 3.3 pertains to conduct that is improper or prejudicial to the interests of cricket. The charge will be considered by the independent Cricket Discipline Commission, and no further comment will be made until the case is concluded.

This saga adds to Middlesex's recent troubles. The club has been embroiled in a dispute with its former CEO, Richard Goatley, and was placed in special measures by the ECB last year due to a pension payment error that resulted in a £500,000 shortfall and a registered loss of £952,000 for the 2021-22 season.

Tags: #Middlesex, #CricketRegulator, #ECBDirective3.3, #InappropriateBehavior, #IllaSharma