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Bookmakers in India approached Brendan Taylor, according to his admission.
Zimbabwe’s ex-captain has claimed that the ICC plans to ban him for several years.
In Taylor’s words, “I got a little carried away.”
A multi-year penalty will be imposed on former Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor after he confirmed that he was solicited by Indian bookmakers to participate in spot-fixing.
Former Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor confirmed Monday that he had been approached by Indian spot-fixers, and he stated that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has already issued a multi-year ban on him. When Taylor spoke, he indicated he had gotten carried away and that substance had also been lost. A few months after reporting the incident, he went to the ICC, but the whole experience has taken its toll on his mental health, and he is now in rehab.
“I’ve been carrying a weight for over 2 years now that has tragically taken me to some very dark places and had a major effect on my mental health,” Taylor wrote on Twitter about her current predicament. Even yet, I was able to begin sharing my hidden story with close friends and relatives just recently in order to receive the kind of emotional support and affection I had previously been too ashamed and terrified to ask for.”
On Oct. 23, 2019, at around 5:00 p.m., I received an email from an Indian businessman who wanted me in India to discuss sponsorships, the possibility of starting a T20 competition in Zimbabwe, and the payment of $15,000.
No, I couldn’t help but feel a little uneasy. We hadn’t been paid for six months by Zimbabwe cricket, and it was doubtful if Zimbabwe would be able to continue competing in the international arena,” he added.
“So I made the voyage,” the former Zimbabwe captain stated in a statement. A celebratory meal was held for me on our final night at the hotel, as the businessman had promised, following our discussions. To my regret, I accepted their offer of cocaine after we had a few beers, which they openly admitted to doing. Every time I think back on that night and the way they played me, even after going over it a million times, I still get sick to my stomach.”
They stormed into my hotel room the next morning and showed me a tape taken the night before showing me using cocaine and threatening to broadcast the footage if I didn’t spot fix at international matches for them.
Suddenly, I found myself in a predicament. And I was afraid for my own safety with six of these people in my hotel room. I’d succumbed to it. As Taylor put it, “I’d voluntarily entered into a circumstance that has forever altered my life.”
As soon as I got back home, the stress had taken a toll on my mental and physical health. My life had become a complete and utter disaster. When I was diagnosed with shingles, my doctor gave me amitriptyline, a powerful anti-psychotic medicine. I could not and would not provide the ‘businessman’ a return on his investment. To file a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC), I had to wait for four months,” he said.
As of right now, Taylor says the ICC will ban him for several years. To be clear, I have never been a part of any match-fixing activity.” Whatever else you choose to call me, know that I am not a liar or a thief. My devotion to the game of cricket overcomes and outstrips any danger that might befall me in the future. As a result of contacting the ICC, I was required to participate in numerous interviews and meetings, and I did everything I could to be completely truthful and forthcoming during the course of their inquiries. On both the inside and the exterior, I was constantly berating myself for a variety of reasons.”
“In light of the foregoing, the ICC has decided to ban me from international cricket for an extended period of time. Only in the hope that my experience may serve as a motivator for other cricketers to report such attempts early, I accept this decision. For my own sake, and for the sake of my toys, I must get my act together and put them first. Toy vision, morals, and values have been compromised because I have let chemicals take control of my life. It is time for me to focus on what is truly important, says the 284-game international veteran of Zimbabwe.
