Key English Cricket Figure Under Investigation for Sexual Assault and Spiking Allegations Involving Two Women
Scandal Rocks English Cricket Ahead of the Ashes
Ahead of the upcoming marquee Ashes, English Cricket has been rocked by a scandal as a key figure within the setup is being investigated by police over allegations of spiking two women and sexually assaulting one of them. According to a report in the Telegraph, the man in question is in his 40s and was questioned under caution by Scotland Yard. The complaint was filed in June about a potential spiking incident at a pub in South West London.
The report states that the alleged incident took place on May 22 in the SW6 area, which covers Fulham and Parsons Green. It must be noted that spiking refers to a substance being added to food or drink without the person’s knowledge or consent.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that an investigation is underway, though the official statement does not identify who is being questioned.
“Two women are believed to have been spiked, with one also allegedly sexually assaulted. A man in his 40s was interviewed under caution on Thursday, June 5. Enquiries remain ongoing and no arrests have been made at this stage,” the statement read. The England and Wales Cricket Board is yet to respond to the matter, though they have been made aware of the recent developments.
Prior sexual assault complaints
The sport of cricket has been marred by two incidents of sexual misconduct over the last year. According to the Telegraph, an unnamed coach was handed a nine-month suspension after admitting to sending sexually explicit pictures to two female junior staff members. His name was later redacted by an independent panel, citing a “serious risk of harm” if his identity were revealed.
These troubling developments add to the English Cricket and Wales Cricket Board’s growing list of challenges, as the governing body also recently underwent a high-stakes process to sell shares on behalf of teams in its Hundred competition to international investors.