Broad claims lack credibility - ICC

The International Cricket Council today said that it had received no evidence to support allegations that have appeared in the media relating to ICC Match Referee Chris Broad and that such allegations lacked credibility.

ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed said that he had been alerted to claims by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) relating to Mr Broad through the extensive media comments attributed to SLC but that nothing had been provided to the ICC to support such allegations.

"The allegations that have appeared in the media and attributed to Sri Lanka Cricket are serious and significant yet there is not one piece of evidence offered to support them," said Mr Speed.

"There are no specifics - no places, no dates, no times - and it is disappointing that a national Board would elect to make disparaging comments about an ICC match official without providing any material to support these comments.

"The issue has been discussed with Mr Broad and he is unaware of any behavior or incident during his time in Sri Lanka that would prompt such allegations.

Mr Broad said that he was disappointed that these unsubstantiated allegations had been made.

"It is disappointing for me that such allegations have been made without any substance to back them up," said Mr Broad.

"I enjoyed the opportunity to officiate on this series in Sri Lanka and entirely reject any suggestion that I acted improperly during my time in the country."

Mr Speed said that, as a matter of course, Cricket Australia's views on this matter had also been sought.

"Cricket Australia has confirmed that Mr Broad's personal and professional behavior was entirely appropriate during the tour," said Mr Speed.

"In light of the advice from Mr Broad and Cricket Australia, if Sri Lanka Cricket has a different view, it must now detail its claims and support them if they are to be taken seriously."

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