ICC anti-corruption boss Sir Ronnie Flanagan likens match fixers to paedophiles and promises clean cricket World Cup

SIR Ronnie Flanagan, chairman of the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit, has compared match fixers to paedophiles.

Ronnie Flanagan, head of the ICC's anti-corruption and security, speaks at a press conference in Sydney on February 6, 2015. The International Cricket Council vowed to clamp down on live betting, often known as pitch-siding, at next week's cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. AFP PHOTO / Saeed KHAN

SIR Ronnie Flanagan, chairman of the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit, has compared match fixers to paedophiles in their attempts to manipulate players.

Flanagan addressed media in Sydney to outline the measures that have been put into place to educate teams and also to reassure the public that the Cricket World Cup will be free from corruption.

“In our line of work we too often meet and know that there are rotten people out there, criminal people out there, who will do all in their power to get at players and others of influence within the game,” Flanagan said.

“They’ll trick them, they’ll coerce them, they’ll try and attract them — they’re almost like paedophiles in how they attempt to groom people into ultimately attempting to do what suits their nefarious intentions in terms of illegal betting.

“This will be true competition between teams fought out on the basis of ability and sometimes a little bit of luck. A tournament that is free from corruption, or the threat of corruption.

“We will be delivering education programs to all the teams involved reminding them of their responsibilities and the commitment they must strictly adhere to right throughout the tournament.”

Flanagan also spoke about banned Pakistani quick Mohammad Aamer, who has been granted an early return to the game after showing remorse for his actions.

Aamer’s ban for his part in a spot-fixing scandal in 2010 was due to end on September 2, but the 22-year-old has been allowed to return to domestic cricket after demonstrating a commitment to educate others.

“I am absolutely comfortable that it’s the right thing to do,” Flanagan said of reducing Aamer’s ban.

“He delivers messages to others that they shouldn’t ever put themselves in a position that he put himself in.”

Originally published as ICC anti-corruption boss Sir Ronnie Flanagan likens match fixers to paedophiles and promises clean cricket World Cup