Umpire removed from WC liaison role after TV sting

Devendra Sharma, a BCCI umpire involved in liaison work for the ICC during the World Cup, has been removed from duty following revelations of unprofessional conduct unearthed by a TV sting operation. Sharma was caught by Star News, an Indian television channel, allegedly supplying information about the pitch and conditions before a game, which is a violation of the ICC's code of conduct.

In a statement sent to the press detailing the sting operation, Star News claimed that Sharma "revealed some vital information about the condition of the pitch" a day before the March 6 game between Canada and Kenya. "He said that it's a good batting track and it is going to be a high scoring game," the statement said. "The team after winning the toss will opt for batting first."

Clause 2.3.2 of the code of conduct states that it is a misuse of inside information to disclose it "to any person (with or without reward) before or during any international match or ICC event where the player or player support personnel might reasonably be expected to know that disclosure of such information in such circumstances could be used in relation to betting."

In that game, Kenya won the toss and chose to bat first, with Canada captain Ashish Bagai saying he too would have chosen to bat first. Kenya wound up being bowled out for 198, a total Canada chased down with more than four overs to spare.

Star News also claimed to have recorded five BCCI umpires, and a former umpire, who were allegedly willing to violate professional rules and ethics by agreeing to participate in a corporate tournament that was not sanctioned by the BCCI or any of the state associations. The umpires apparently also agreed to favour certain players with their decisions.

"Reporters tell the umpires that in the tournament some players could get promotions and bonus in their company if they performed well in this tournament," the channel said. "For this the players also depended on 'favours' from the umpires. All six agree that they will be lenient on decisions like LBW and caught behind. They also inform our undercover reporters that a list of players to be favoured should be given to them before matches."