Archive · 7 Oct 2026
ICC Anti-Corruption Chief Warns of Risks in Legends Leagues
Some cricket matches feature famous players who have retired from regular play.
ICC anti-corruption chief Andrew Ephgrave says many of these leagues are not officially approved, so it can be hard to know how they fit into cricket.
He called them a “grey area.”
He said they may create risks for cricket’s reputation.
At the same time, some are treated as exhibition or festival-style events.
Ephgrave pointed to corruption allegations at a legends league in Sri Lanka in 2024.
He said the ICC’s anti-corruption unit works to prevent corruption and help players report suspicious approaches.
ICC Anti-Corruption Unit chief Andrew Ephgrave described many legends leagues as a “real grey area” because they are often unsanctioned.
He said some events do not receive an ICC no-objection certificate, and domestic boards do not always sanction them.
Ephgrave warned that the leagues could pose reputational risks, while noting some are presented as exhibition or festival-style cricket.
He cited corruption allegations involving a legends league in Sri Lanka in 2024, where team owners were indicted.
The ACU has covered 333 bilateral international matches and laid 28 anti-corruption charges; Ephgrave said more players are reporting suspicious approaches.
- Who
- ICC Anti-Corruption Unit chief Andrew Ephgrave discussed risks related to legends leagues.
- What
- Ephgrave said many legends leagues are unsanctioned and may pose reputational risks to cricket.
- When
- In an interview with Cricinfo; the article does not specify when it took place.
- Where
- The discussion concerned legends leagues generally and cited a league in Sri Lanka in 2024.
- Why
- Many events lack official sanctioning, and Ephgrave said it is important to distinguish them from official cricket structures.
Risks and concerns
Exhibition and heritage value
How legends leagues should be viewed
Risks and concerns
Ephgrave said many leagues are unsanctioned and may pose reputational risks, with corruption allegations cited at an event in Sri Lanka.
Exhibition and heritage value
Ephgrave also described some as exhibition or festival-style cricket, where fans can watch iconic retired players.
Distinction from official cricket
Risks and concerns
Ephgrave said audiences should recognize that legends events may lack the sanctioning and oversight associated with official structures.
Exhibition and heritage value
He said retired-player events can be distinguished from franchise leagues, ICC events, and the Ranji Trophy rather than treated as equivalent.
- Official involved
- Andrew Ephgrave, chief of the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit
- Ephgrave's description
- A “real grey area”
- Approval concerns
- Many leagues are not sanctioned and do not receive an ICC no-objection certificate
- Cited event
- A legends league in Sri Lanka in 2024 faced corruption allegations
- ACU match coverage
- 333 bilateral international matches
- Anti-corruption charges
- 28 charges, according to Ephgrave