New Delhi: England’s Test head coach Brendon McCullum has been cleared by England Cricket Board (ECB) over his relationship with 22Bet India. Questions were raised over the former Kiwi batter for advertising the online betting site, but ECB has refrained from taking an action. ECB was looking into a matter to spot a possible breach of their anti-corruption rules.
The ECB spokesperson said that the board was in discussion with McCullum and had looked at the matter from a “regulatory and employer perspective.” The board has concluded that he did nothing wrong and no action will follow in the matter.
Reportedly, Brendon McCullum is likely to step aside from his role as the brand ambassador of the online gaming/betting platform.
Last week, ECB said that it is looking into McCullum’s relationship with the Cyprus-based company. The matter came to light when New Zealand’s Problem Gambling Foundation approached ECB.
Problem Gambling Foundation filed a complaint to New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs (DIA), and the department observed that 22Bet is not registered or licensed with it. This led to the blocking of 22Bet India advertisements featuring McCullum in New Zealand.
McCullum became the brand ambassador of 22Bet India in November 2022 and his social media posts have shown him advertising the firm, which came under the scrutiny of ECB and New Zealand’s Problem Gambling Foundation. As per the ECB’s anti-corruption code, ‘participants’ are not allowed to persuade, entice, encourage or facilitate betting in matches.
Brendon McCullum is currently in New Zealand and is set to return to the UK for England’s first Test of the summer against Ireland from June 1 onwards.
