ICC ACU chief Andrew Ephgrave calls retired-player legends leagues a “real grey area” as many are unsanctioned and lack ICC NoCs
He says the leagues pose a potential “reputational risk” because many participants fall outside cricket’s current anti-corruption framework
The ACU has covered 333 bilateral international matches and laid 28 anti-corruption charges as part of its preventive measures
The International Cricket Council's (ICC) Anti-Corruption Unit chief Andrew Ephgrave says legends leagues featuring retired players are a "real grey area" as they are mostly unsanctioned and pose a "reputational risk" to the game.
In an interview to 'Cricinfo', Ephgrave was asked whether leagues featuring retired players have become a "headache". In response, he described the current situation as grey.
"It's a real grey area because a lot of the times they are never actually sanctioned and certainly don't receive an ICC NoC (no-objection certificate). Domestic boards don't sanction them or some do. But it is a bit of a grey area because a lot of the players who play in them are not in the current framework of cricket," said the former British Police Officer.
"But quite a lot are still iconic names. I think there's a balance between heritage and (wanting to watch) the guy that you watched as you were growing up, and the risk around it," he explained.
Asked whether there is a "reputational risk" involved in these leagues continuing and if it could hurt cricket, Ephgrave said, "It could, yeah, but I think there's also a degree of it being sort of exhibition cricket or festival style cricket."
Former players of high stature, including those from India, are seen competing in legends leagues that have become common in recent years.
He then cited a legends league in Sri Lanka where team owners were indicted for corruption.
"There was a legends' league that took place in Sri Lanka in 2024 where there were allegations of corruption. I'm not going to sit here and say there's no risk. But the key is about delineating between what is the official structures of cricket, and ultimately what is retired players, who are still able to produce memories and demonstrate how they can play," he said.
"It's making sure that people recognise what that is compared to a franchise league, an ICC event, or the Ranji Trophy," he said.
Speaking about the preventive measures taken by the ACU to weed out corruption from the game Ephgrave said the body has covered 333 bilateral international matches. and "laid 28 charges in relation to anti-corruption".
Ephgrave said more players are reporting corrupt approaches than ever before.
"Hundred per cent. And a big piece of work that we've done is about changing the perception. Historically, anti-corruption was seen as an enforcement arm of cricket, and players were like: well, who's the person who's held responsible?
"Players are vulnerable and our responsibility is to educate and help them and build confidence and trust. And that's what our engagement programmes have done," he said.
