NEWS
Follow UsFormer Zimbabwe player Brendan Taylor has revealed that he allegedly took money to spot-fix international matches from an Indian businessman after being threatened that a video of him taking cocaine will be made public.
The former Zimbabwe captain said he will face a “multi-year” ban from ICC for a four-month delay in reporting a corrupt approach. Taylor met this unnamed Indian businessman in October 2019 "to discuss sponsorships and the potential launch of a T20 competition in Zimbabwe".
The invitation came when the team had not received salaries for six months and there were concerns the country would not be able to continue playing internationally. He said he was a "little wary" but still undertook the trip. During drinks, he was offered cocaine which the businessman and his colleagues were taking, and said he "foolishly took the bait".
The ICC is yet to comment on the matter.
In his statement, Taylor said: "In late October 2019, I was approached by an Indian businessman requesting that I attend India to discuss sponsorships and the potential launch of a T20 competition in Zimbabwe and was advised that I would be paid USD 15,000 to make the journey.
"I can't deny I was a little wary. But the timing was such that we hadn't been paid for 6 months by Zimbabwe cricket and it was questionable whether Zimbabwe would be able to continue playing in the international arena. So I made the journey. The discussions took place, as he had said, and on our last night in the hotel, the businessman and his colleagues took me for a celebratory dinner.
"We had drinks and during the course of the evening they openly offered me cocaine, which they themselves engaged in, and I foolishly took the bait. I've gone over it a million times since and still feel sick to my stomach reliving that night and how they played me.
"The following morning, the same men stormed into my hotel room and showed me a video taken of me the night before doing cocaine and told me that if I did not spot fix at international matches for them, the video would be released to the public.
"I was cornered. And with 6 of these individuals in my hotel room, I was scared for my own safety. I'd fallen for it. I'd willingly walked into a situation that has changed my life forever.
"I was handed the USD 15,000 but was told this was now a 'deposit' for spot fixing and that an additional USD 20,000 would be paid once the 'job' was complete. I took the money so I could get on a plane and leave India. I felt I had no choice at the time because saying no was clearly not an option. All| knew was | had to get out of there.
"When I returned home, the stress of what had taken place severely impacted my mental and physical health. I was a mess. I was diagnosed with shingles and prescribed strong anti-psychotic medication - amitriptyline.
"The 'businessman' wanted a return on his investment which I could not and would not give. It took me 4 months to report this offence and interaction to the ICC. I acknowledge this was too long of a time but I thought I could protect everyone and in particular, my family. I approached the ICC on my own terms and | hoped that if | explained my predicament, my genuine fear for our safety and wellbeing, that they would understand the delay.
"Unfortunately, they did not, but I cannot feign ignorance in this regard. I have attended many anti-corruption seminars over the years and we know that time is of the essence when making reports.
"I would like to place on record that I have never been involved in any form of match-fixing. I may be many things but I am not a cheat. My love for the beautiful game of cricket far outweighs and surpasses any threats which could be thrown my way.
"As a result of approaching the ICC I attended multiple interviews and engagements and was as honest and transparent as I could be during their investigations. Inside and outside I was beating myself up and I still wish I had sought support and advice earlier for a multitude of reasons.
"That being said, the ICC are taking the decision to impose a multi-year ban on my international cricketing career. I humbly accept this decision and only hope that my story will be used as a means of encouragement for cricketers to report any approaches early.
"I will admit that the past two years have been incredibly challenging, both personally and professionally and it is from absolute rock bottom that I am trying to climb out of this mess I made. My family and friends have been incredibly supportive of me and it is clear to me now that I have a much bigger problem which for some time has needed addressing.
"And so, I would also like to let you know that on Tuesday the 25th of January I am checking into a rehabilitation centre to get clean and to get my life back on track. I have to tell my story now because I know people will want to hear from me. To try and understand what led to this point. But for many weeks I will be away and trying to get better.
"l owe it to myself and to my family to get clean and to put them first. I have let a substance take control of me and impair my vision, my morals and my values and it is time that I prioritise what really matters.
"I also hope my story inspires someone who hears it, to get the help that they need. I had not realized that coming forward and talking would give me so much relief from the hell I have found myself in for years. Drugs and narcotics do not discriminate and it took all that I have to admit that I have a problem.
"To end I need to let you know I am sorry for those I have hurt. I am sorry for those I have let down."
BCCI Anti-Corruption Unit chief Shabir Hussein Shekhadam Khandwawala told PTI, "if the incident happened in India, we would like to know the details and if he has spoken to the ICC, we will seek the details from the global body. As of now, no one has contacted us but we would like to know more about the issue."
The 35-year-old, who announced his retirement from international cricket in September 2021, played 34 Tests, 205 ODIs and 45 T20Is for Zimbabwe. The right-handed wicketkeeper-batter scored close to 10,000 runs for the country across all three formats, studded with 17 centuries and 57 half-centuries. He also captained Zimbabwe in 71 encounters.