Italy’s historic T20 World Cup debut was meant to signal a new era for the sport in the country. Instead, it has been overshadowed by a serious allegation that has plunged Italian cricket into crisis.
A senior official within the Federazione Cricket Italiana (FCRI) is under criminal investigation over a sexual assault allegation, according to a report by BBC Sport’s Timothy Abraham, with the fallout already extending to board-level resignations and governance scrutiny.
Allegation against senior Italy cricket official
The official at the centre of the case is Prabath Ekneligoda, the 57-year-old women’s cricket co-ordinator of the FCRI. The allegation relates to a claim that he inappropriately touched a member of the Italy women’s national team.
The complaint was made to police in Rome in March last year by a player who has represented the national side. The player, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, alleged the incident took place during a massage on a knee injury at a training session. She also stated she had been reluctant to report the matter earlier because she feared it could cost her a place in the team.
A Rome prosecutor concluded an investigation in November 2025, and Ekneligoda was interviewed by police the following month. A decision is now pending on whether there is sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial. His lawyer has said that he denies the allegation, claims there are ulterior motives behind it, and maintains that a witness supports his version of events.
Federation response and official statement
In a statement to BBC Sport, the Federazione Cricket Italiana said it had “noted proceedings are currently under way before the federal prosecutor’s office” and would “co-operate with the relevant authorities”.
The governing body added, “The Italian Cricket Federation reiterates that its conduct is guided by principles of fairness, transparency and the protection of its registered members, as well as by the ethical and civic standards that underpin the sporting system,” and further stated, “The federation therefore defers to the competent judicial authorities for any determinations arising from the matter.”
Ekneligoda was suspended from his role in November. However, the report states he has remained a visible presence within Italian cricket circles.
According to BBC Sport, he attended Italy’s matches with official accreditation and was permitted to sit alongside the rest of the FCRI delegation. He was present at official events linked to the Italian team, including a reception at the Italian consulate in Kolkata for players, officials and coaching staff.
World Cup presence raises further questions
Italy’s men recently made their debut at the T20 World Cup, capturing global attention with a victory over Nepal in Mumbai and a competitive showing against England in Kolkata during their Group C fixtures. Although they did not reach the Super 8 stage, their participation was widely viewed as a milestone for the sport in the country.
Despite his suspension, Ekneligoda travelled to India for the tournament. He is the partner of FCRI president Maria Lorena Haz Paz and accompanied her during the event.
The report notes that federation leadership was aware of the seriousness of the allegation prior to the World Cup.
Board resignations and governance scrutiny
The controversy has extended beyond the criminal investigation itself. The report indicates that several members of the FCRI board have stepped down in relation to the case, alongside broader governance concerns within the federation.
Those developments have intensified scrutiny around the federation’s leadership and increased pressure on President Haz Paz at a sensitive moment for Italian cricket.
Senior figures within the sport fear that reputational damage and the prospect of legal proceedings could hamper efforts to build on the momentum generated by Italy’s T20 World Cup debut.
What happens next
The immediate next step rests with judicial authorities, who must determine whether the case proceeds to trial. Until then, the federation has stated it will defer to the legal process.
For Italian cricket, the timing could hardly be more challenging. What should have been a springboard moment following their first appearance on the global T20 stage has instead become a governance and safeguarding crisis — one that may shape the sport’s trajectory in the country for years to come.
