{ "id": "92527", "author": "26", "cnmid": "0", "title": "Brendan Taylor 'Not A Cheat' After ICC Decides To Impose 'Multi Year Ban' For Not Reporting Fixing ", "lang": "en", "series": "1", "cup_year": "2022", "article_type": "General", "excerpt": "Brendan Taylor revealed in a tweet he took cocaine, a $15,000 bribe from an Indian businessman to fix matches and that he faces a multiple-year ban from international cricket.", "subtype": null, "editor1": "

Former Zimbabwe cricket captain Brendan Taylor revealed in a tweet he took cocaine, a $15,000 bribe from an Indian businessman to fix matches and that he faces a multiple-year ban from international cricket.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"The ICC (International Cricket Council) are taking the decision to impose a multi-year ban on my international cricketing career," tweeted the national great, adding he did not fix any match.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The 35-year-old batsman said in October 2019 he was invited by an Indian businessman to discuss "sponsorships and the potential launch of a T20 competition in Zimbabwe and was advised that I would be paid USD$15 000 for the journey".<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

He said he was a "little wary" but undertook the trip all the same.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

During drinks on the last night, he was offered cocaine which the businessman and his colleagues were taking and said he "foolishly took the bait".<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"The following morning, the same men entered 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," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

He said he was "cornered" and handed a $15,000 deposit to fix matches. He took the cash so that he could fly out.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

It took him four months to report the offence to the ICC<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"I acknowledge this was too long of a time but I thought I could protect everyone and in particular, my family," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

He said he was ready and will "humbly" accept the ICC decision with the "hope that my story will be used as a means of encouragement for cricketers to report any illicit approaches as early as possible".<\/p>\r\n\r\n

But he stressed he never fixed any matches.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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To my family, friends and supporters. Here is my full statement. Thank you! pic.twitter.com\/sVCckD4PMV<\/a><\/p>\r\n— Brendan Taylor (@BrendanTaylor86) January 24, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote>\r\n