ICC approves revised anti-corruption code to allow early return for banned players

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved its revised anti-corruption code, which would allow banned players to make an early return to domestic competition.

The ICC has left it up to home boards to allow banned players to return early to domestic competition.

An ICC release stated that for a player to return to domestic competition before the expiry of his ban would need the agreement of the chairman of the anti-corruption board, Sir Ronnie Flannagan, and the relevant National Cricket Federation, with the approval of the ICC Board.

The ICC said that the revised code would close certain loopholes and address the issue of who has jurisdiction in a particular case.

The ICC also stated that the code would also allow a player charged with an offence but who has not been provisionally suspended, to agree to voluntarily suspend himself or herself.

ICC chairman Naryanaswami Srinivasan, himself suspended in India over a fixing scandal in a Twenty20 league, said that the process for the revision of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code was exhaustive and has been based on their learning and experiences over the past few years.

Srinivasan said that this code is now even more robust and comprehensive and it provides clarity on jurisdictional issues, gives options to the charged Participant and offers more choices to the Anti-Corruption Tribunal.

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson admitted that the fight against corruption was still a priority. He said that the battle against corruption remains one of cricket's biggest challenges and the ICC remains committed to eliminating this menace from their sport.