ICC formulates plans to tackle 'significant corruption concerns' in franchise tournaments

The International Cricket Council is formulating plans to tackle what it has called "significant corruption concerns" in franchise tournaments around the globe.

In documentation seen by BBC Sport, the ICC's integrity unit has reported there is "growing evidence" that corrupters were "infiltrating leagues and players across a number of different member territories".

The ICC is now planning to establish a working party which will seek to harmonise franchise cricket within the international calendar and examine how corruption could be tackled more effectively.

As part of the steps taken to mitigate the concerns the ICC's executive committee will discuss a number of wider strategies during the ongoing annual conference in Edinburgh.

These include expanding the scope of when the ICC sanctions a domestic league, meaning more tournaments would require approval.

Under current regulations, a domestic league in a non-full member country only requires ICC approval if it includes more than four players who have represented a full member national team within 24 months.

The ICC is also considering beefing up its powers to step into leagues where there were integrity concerns which are not being addressed.

Similarly, concerns have been raised over the threat posed by the growth of illegal betting particularly through the sponsorship of franchise leagues by certain companies.

The ICC notes these "expose host members to the risk of facilitating" illegal betting which carries the "potential for increased corruption".

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