Ronnie Flanagan Bids Farewell as ICC Anti-Corruption Chair, Successor to Be Announced

Ronnie Flanagan will retire as the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit chair at the end of October. His departure follows ACU head Alex Marshall's retirement in November. Flanagan's influential tenure bolstered cricket's integrity amid evolving challenges, continuing the efforts initiated by his predecessor, Lord Paul Condon.

Ronnie Flanagan, the independent chair of the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) since 2010, will step down at the end of October. This follows ACU head Alex Marshall's retirement announcement scheduled for November. Flanagan, a highly respected senior police officer, has had a notable career. According to ESPNcricinfo, he served as the Home Office chief inspector of constabulary for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and held the position of chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland. He took over from Lord Paul Condon, the ACU's inaugural head, who retired in 2010 after a decade of service.

Appointed by the ICC in 2000, Lord Condon confronted widespread match-fixing, imposing life bans on three international cricket captains: Mohammad Azharuddin, Saleem Malik, and the late Hansie Cronje. His leadership implemented crucial measures to protect cricket's integrity. As his tenure neared its end, Condon warned that T20 cricket, especially domestic franchise leagues, posed a significant threat to the sport's morals.

Condon's foresight was affirmed by the IPL corruption scandal in 2013. At the ICC annual conference that year, Flanagan urged global cricket boards to enforce strict anti-corruption laws. He stressed the importance of robust legislation to prosecute players, match officials, and franchise owners involved in corrupt activities, particularly in domestic T20 leagues. As Flanagan prepares to retire, the ICC will propose his successor at the October quarterly meetings. The cricket community recognizes Flanagan's substantial contribution to fortifying the sport's anti-corruption framework, following the groundwork laid by his predecessor, amidst ongoing challenges in domestic and international competitions.

(With inputs from agencies.)