Bbc Sport Cricket: Italy cricket in crisis as senior FCRI official investigated over sexual assault allegation

Italian players, administrators and the sport’s fragile governing structures are the first to feel the fallout from an allegation that has landed at the centre of national cricket. Sport Cricket coverage highlights a criminal probe into a senior figure in the Federazione Cricket Italiana (FCRI) that has triggered suspensions, visible presence at recent tournaments despite action, and multiple board resignations — all occurring in the days after Italy’s T20 World Cup debut.

Sport Cricket: immediate impact on players and governance

Here's the part that matters: a player who has represented Italy made a formal complaint about being inappropriately touched while receiving a massage for a knee injury at a training session. The player’s identity is legally protected and she said she had been scared to report the incident because she feared it would cost her a spot in the team. Multiple members of the Italy board are said to have resigned over this case and other governance issues, amplifying the crisis.

What the allegation and criminal process involve

Federazione Cricket Italiana women’s cricket co-ordinator Prabath Ekneligoda, 57, is the individual who has been the subject of a criminal investigation into the claim that he inappropriately touched a member of the Azzurri women’s national team. The allegation was made to police in Rome in March last year by the player who has represented the national side. A Rome prosecutor concluded an investigation in November 2025, and Ekneligoda was interviewed by police the following month. A decision is now set to be made on whether there is sufficient evidence to bring the matter to trial.

Responses, denials and federation position

Ekneligoda denies the allegation. His lawyer says there are ulterior motives behind the complaint and that a witness supports his version of events. The FCRI has issued a statement noting that proceedings are currently under way before the federal prosecutor’s office and that it will cooperate with the relevant authorities; the federation also emphasized that its conduct is guided by principles of fairness, transparency and the protection of its registered members and by ethical and civic standards that underpin the sporting system.

• Player welfare and selection anxiety are immediate concerns for current and prospective national team members.
• Administrative instability is signalled by multiple board resignations tied to this case and broader governance worries.
• Visible presence of the suspended official at international events complicates the federation's public accountability.
• Legal next steps hinge on the prosecutor’s pending decision about moving the case to trial; that outcome will shape further governance and safeguarding action.

Visibility at the T20 World Cup and internal knowledge

Although Ekneligoda was suspended from his role with the FCRI in November, he remained a visible presence on the Italian cricket scene. He is originally from Sri Lanka and is the partner of FCRI president Maria Lorena Haz Paz; he accompanied her to India for the men's T20 World Cup. Evidence has been seen that he attended Italy’s matches wearing official accreditation and was permitted to sit with the rest of the FCRI party. He was also observed at events arranged for Italy’s delegation, including a reception at the Italian consulate in Kolkata for officials, players and coaching staff. The FCRI, its president Haz Paz, and safeguarding officers had full knowledge of the seriousness of the claim before the World Cup.

Legal status, listings and public reporting

The allegation was first reported in the Italian media last weekend. As of Monday, Ekneligoda remained listed as the women's cricket coordinator on the FCRI website. The real question now is whether the prosecutor will determine there is sufficient evidence to bring charges and how quickly any judicial decision will translate into clearer governance and safeguarding measures within the federation.

What's easy to miss is that Italy have been members of the International Cricket Council since 1984; that long-standing membership raises the stakes for demonstrating robust oversight and protections as this matter proceeds through the legal process.

Micro timeline

• March last year — the player made a complaint to police in Rome.
• November 2025 — a Rome prosecutor concluded an investigation.
• December 2025 — Ekneligoda was interviewed by police; suspension from role occurred in November but he remained visible at events.

The article is constrained to the details in the materials provided; some elements remain unclear in the provided context and may evolve as the prosecutor's decision is made and federation actions follow.