ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit chairman Ronnie Flanagan today compared match-fixers with paedophiles who can go to any extent to carry out their nefarious intentions but promised the cricket World Cup will be completely corruption free.
"In our line of work we too often meet and know that there are rotten people out there, criminal people out there, who will do all in their power to get at players and others of influence within the game," Flanagan was quoted as saying by news.Com.Au.
"They'll trick them, they'll coerce them, they'll try and attract them... They're almost like paedophiles in how they attempt to groom people into ultimately attempting to do what suits their nefarious intentions in terms of illegal betting.
"This will be true competition between teams fought out on the basis of ability and sometimes a little bit of luck. A tournament that is free from corruption, or the threat of corruption," he said.
Talking about the steps taken to curb corruption, Flanagan said: "We will be delivering education programs to all the teams involved reminding them of their responsibilities and the commitment they must strictly adhere to right throughout the tournament."
Banned Pakistani pacer Mohammad Aamer was recently granted an early return to the game after showing remorse for his actions.
Talking about the issue, Flanagan said: "I am absolutely comfortable that it's the right thing to do."
"He delivers messages to others that they shouldn't ever put themselves in a position that he put himself in.
