Italy cricket rocked by sexual harassment claims after T20 World Cup breakthrough

LONDON (Agencies): Italian cricket has been rocked by allegations of sexual harassment, days after the national side completed a historic first participation at the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. The allegations, made by a player from the Italian women’s team, centre on Prabath Ekneligoda, the women’s cricket co-ordinator who has been suspended by the Italian board, the Federazione Cricket Italiana (FCRI). According to a statement released by FCRI, the allegations are the subject of an investigation by the federal prosecutor. “The Federation confirms that, during 2025, the President of the federation acting within her institutional responsibilities and with the full safeguarding of the athletes and other parties involved in mind, ordered the immediate precautionary suspension of the individual concerned from all federal duties and activities,” the board statement said.

“This measure was adopted pending a thorough and definitive assessment of the circumstances. The decision was taken as a prudent and responsible step, aimed at preventing any undue speculation, preserving the integrity of the sporting environment, and ensuring that any fact-finding takes place in the appropriate forums, with full respect for personal dignity, due process and the presumption of innocence.” BBC Sport reported that Ekneligoda’s lawyer denied the allegations and claimed there were ulterior motives behind them. Though the suspension remains, the FRCI’s media manager Rakbir Hasan confirmed to media that Ekneligoda was present at the T20 World Cup. “He travelled as a companion of the President [Maria Lorena Haz Paz] and does not have any official duties or connection to the World Cup delegation.” In its statement, the FRCI confirmed “its full willingness to cooperate with the relevant authorities,” and that it “reserves the right to take any further action in light of ongoing inquiries. “It is further noted that proceedings are currently under way before the Federal Prosecutor’s Office, which is responsible for carrying out the assessments and investigations provided under sporting regulations.” The allegations come amidst ongoing turmoil within the board. Haz Paz has been ousted since the end of Italy’s campaign, and the CEO Luca Bruno Malaspina confirmed that six board members had also resigned. That has led to the dissolution of the Federal Council. But those departures are not, Hasan said, linked to these allegations. The Italian men’s team made a significant impression at the T20 World Cup, most memorably chalking up a 10-wicket win over Nepal and losing to England by only 24 runs while exiting before the Super Eights.