Legend Cricket League 2024 Manager Indicted for Match-Fixing Charges

The Legend Cricket League 2024 has been rocked by scandal as team manager Yoni Patel faces match-fixing charges before the Colombo High Court. The Attorney General informed the court of the indictment, following complaints from former cricket stars Neil Broom and Upul Tharanga.

Broom, who represented the Punjab Royals, and Tharanga, who played for the Kandy Samp Army team, alleged that Patel pressured them into engaging in match-fixing deals during the tournament. Initial investigations revealed that players were approached with offers of money to under-perform and manipulate match results.

The seriousness of the allegations led to a criminal trial indictment being filed before the High Court, with the State Counsel representing the Attorney General providing updates during a magisterial inquiry. Additionally, a travel ban was imposed on Patel and another team manager, P. Akash, preventing them from leaving Sri Lanka.

The Legend Cricket League 2024 featured retired international cricketers from various cricketing nations, aiming to rival established tournaments like the Road Safety series in India. Despite not having official involvement from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), the tournament took place at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy.

The scandal has cast a shadow over the tournament, raising questions about the integrity of the competition and the measures in place to prevent match-fixing. As the legal proceedings unfold, the cricketing world waits to see the outcome of this troubling chapter in the Legend Cricket League’s history.