Italy's historic appearance at the ICC T20 World Cup in India has been overshadowed by a sexual assault allegation against a senior official of the Federazione Cricket Italiana (FCRI), triggering an internal crisis.
Prabath Ekneligoda, 57, the federation’s women’s cricket coordinator, was suspended in November last year after being investigated over an allegation that he inappropriately touched a member of Italy’s women’s national team during a training session in Rome. The alleged incident, reported to police in March last year, is said to have occurred while he was administering a massage for a knee injury.
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According to aBBC news report, the player, whose identity remains legally protected, told investigators she delayed reporting the matter because she feared jeopardising her place in the national side.
A Rome prosecutor concluded the investigation in November. Ekneligoda was interrogated by police the following month, and judicial authorities are now assessing whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial. Through his lawyer, Ekneligoda has denied the allegation, claimed there are ulterior motives behind it, and stated that a witness corroborates his account.
In a statement, the FCRI said it “notes that proceedings are currently under way before the federal prosecutor’s office” and pledged full cooperation with authorities. The federation added that its conduct is guided by “principles of fairness, transparency and the protection of its registered members.”
However, the handling of the matter has drawn scrutiny and raised concerns about Italian cricket’s response to the issue. Despite his suspension, Ekneligoda was spotted at the ICC T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, travelling with the Italian men's team in India. He attended matches with official accreditation, was seated alongside federation representatives, and appeared at delegation events, including a reception at the Italian consulate in Kolkata.
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Multiple sources have indicated that members of the federation’s board have resigned in recent weeks, citing concerns over the case and broader governance issues. The developments have intensified pressure on FCRI president Maria Lorena Haz Paz, who was elected in February 2025 for a four-year term.
The controversy has rocked Italian cricket at a pivotal moment. Italy made a scintillating debut at the ICC T20 World Cup, which included a thrilling victory over Nepal in Mumbai and a noteworthy performance against England in Kolkata. These performances were seen as an opportunity to take the country’s cricket forward. However, the ongoing administrative mess has put the country’s cricketing governance in disarray.
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
