England Test team’s Head Coach Brendon McCullum has landed in a soup after his betting ads with the betting platform ‘22Bet’. The apex body of England Cricket, the England Cricket Board (ECB) is probing whether it is a breach of the board’s anti-corruption rules and regulations.
The former Kiwi wicket-keeper batter was roped in as the brand ambassador of 22Bet and was seen in online advertisements, which promoted the platform. He had signed a deal with them in November 2022 and the Cyprus-based company has had advertisements with Brendon McCullum’s face over it.
ECB released a statement and said that they are presently probing this matter and an investigation is underway.
“We are currently exploring the matter, and [are] in discussions with Brendon around his relationship with the Cypriot-based betting company, 22Bet. We have rules in place around gambling, and will always seek to ensure these are followed,” read the statement.
According to the ECB’s anti-corruption rules, players and support staff are not allowed to “directly or indirectly entice, persuading, encouraging or facilitate any other party to enter into a bet in relation to the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of any match or competition”.
The whole problem with this advertisement arises from the fact that 22Bet isn’t a registered sports bookmaker from New Zealand. 22Bet also are not licensed or regulated by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) of New Zealand.
“We are speaking to the ECB about this. I am not going to comment on anything. We are working through it,” said Simon Auteri, who is Brendon McCullum’s agent to the Times newspaper.
England would be hoping to win the Ashes for the first time since 2015
The last time the England cricket team laid their hands on the Ashes was in 2015. Ever since that, its either been a draw or Australia have won the Ashes.
In this year, the Ashes will be kick-starting from 16th June and the 5th and final Test match will start from 27th July 2023. England will be hosting the series this time around.
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