Taylor not forthrightOn March 31, 2020 Taylor reported an method from an Indian businessman (Mr S) which occurred in November 2019. However, when he first disclosed the method, Taylor made no point out of him getting a request from the businessman about fixing matches earlier than he accepted $15,000. Taylor did point out that he acquired the cash however first mentioned it was as a part of an look payment. “In subsequent interviews, however, Mr Taylor changed his story and accepted that while he had initially travelled to India believing that he would be paid an appearance fee of US$15,000, at the end of his trip when the payment was actually made to him, it followed a discussion around corruption and a request for him to be involved in corrupting matches in exchange for payment,” the report mentioned.
Agent’s warningDuring the course of interviews, Taylor mentioned when Mr S first contacted him, he referred him to his agent. A pink flag was raised by the agent when he informed Taylor ‘not to waste his time as he has a bad feeling about Mr S’. The businessman had first referred to as Taylor to investigate if he was eager to play within the Afghanistan Premier League. But a month later (after the agent had warned him), Taylor acquired one other name and this time he travelled to India for 3 nights and 4 days on the businessman’s expense. This time, Mr S informed Taylor he needed to debate beginning a T20 match in Zimbabwe and would pay him $15,000 for his time.
New telephone, clothesOn reaching India, Taylor was given a brand new Samsung S10 telephone. Taylor claims, in interviews, that he took the telephone as a result of his telephone was ‘busted up’. Mr S additionally paid for brand new garments for Taylor and in addition ‘provided Taylor with various things for his entertainment while he was in India’.
Looking for one more playerAt the tip of the journey, Taylor met Mr S and his associates and this time there was a dialogue about spot-fixing in worldwide video games. Mr S informed Taylor he may make $35,000 for participating in spot-fixing. Mr S additionally informed Taylor that he needed to rope in yet one more participant to repair matches.
Compromising videoTaylor mentioned that he had initially refused to be concerned in fixing however accepted the cash as a result of Mr S informed him that he had a compromising video which he would launch to the media and Mr Taylor’s spouse. Taylor, in his submit on Twitter earlier this week, had mentioned he had consumed cocaine through the journey to India. Taylor mentioned he was fearful about what Mr S and his associates would do and therefore took the cash as he needed to go away India.
Call throughout B’desh sequenceTaylor subsequent heard from Mr S in mid-March 2020, whereas he was on tour with Zimbabwe in Bangladesh. Mr S referred to as him and mentioned that whereas he had not labored for him earlier than that time, now was the time to take action. Taylor acknowledged that he refused to do any work for Mr S. Taylor then acquired a message from the businessman saying that he would launch the compromising video.
$15k unreturnedTaylor, in line with the official publication, nonetheless has the US$ 15,000 which he mentioned is being sorted safely by a good friend. Taylor mentioned he was clear that neither he, nor his household nor his associates can profit from this cash (whether or not immediately or not directly) in any method.
During the listening to, it was agreed that Taylor’s return to participation in cricket, following the expiry of his interval of ineligibility, is conditional upon him demonstrating, to the ICC’s satisfaction, that no one near him has benefitted from the cash.
Source: ACU publication
