Bans backdated to October 16, 2019, when the two UAE players were provisionally suspended
ESPNcricinfo staff16-Mar-2021
Shaiman Anwar is UAE’s highest run-getter across ODIs and T20Is•Peter Della Penna
Mohammad Naveed and Shaiman Anwar, the UAE players who the ICC had found guilty of offences relating to attempted match-fixing during the 2019 T20 World Cup qualifying tournament, have been banned from all cricket for eight years each by the game’s governing body. The bans have been backdated to October 16, 2019, when they were provisionally suspended.Following a hearing and presentation of written and oral arguments, the ICC’s anti-corruption tribunal found the two senior UAE players guilty of:Related
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'I feel guilty' – Naveed accepts he failed to report corrupt approach
Article 2.1.1 – for being party to an agreement or effort to fix or contrive or otherwise influence improperly the result, progress, conduct or other aspect(s) of a match or matches at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2019. Article 2.4.4 – for failing to disclose to the ACU full details of any approaches or invitations received to engage in corrupt conduct under the Code at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2019.Additionally, Naveed, the former UAE captain, was also found guilty of breaching two counts of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) Anti-Corruption Code for Participants of the T10 League 2019: Article 2.1.1 – for being party to an agreement or effort to fix or contrive or otherwise influence improperly the result, progress, conduct or other aspect(s) of a match or matches at the T10 League 2019. Article 2.4.4 – for failing to disclose to the ACU full details of any approaches or invitations received to engage in corrupt conduct under the Code at the T10 League 2019.The two had been pronounced guilty of of corruption by the ICC in January this year.”Mohammad Naveed and Shaiman Anwar represented their adopted country, the UAE at the highest level in cricket. Naveed was the captain and leading wicket taker. Anwar was the opening bat. Both had long international careers and were well versed in the threat from match fixers,” Alex Marshall, the general manager of the ICC’s integrity unit, said in a statement. “That they both chose to engage with this corrupt activity was a cynical betrayal of their positions, their teammates, and all supporters of UAE cricket.”I am pleased that the independent Tribunal has imposed significant bans from all forms of cricket and this should serve as a warning to any cricketer who considers taking the wrong path.”In a statement released shortly after the ICC verdict became public, the ECB acknowledged the work done by the authorities, and reiterated that it remained “firm in its stance denouncing any activities of corruption and those undertaken by the players in this anti-corruption case”.As pointed out by Marshall, the two were among UAE’s most experienced international cricketers. Anwar, just past his 42nd birthday, has been their highest run-getter across the ODI and T20I formats, and 33-year-old Naveed their most prolific wicket-taker in ODIs and second from top in T20Is..Naveed and Anwar were charged under the ICC anti-corruption code in October 2019, and suspended days before the start of the qualifiers in the UAE. Naveed, who was UAE’s captain at the time, was stood down from the post. At the time, Naveed had accepted that he had failed to report a suspicious approach during the tournament, but claimed he had ended the conversation when he realised the person he was meeting was a “fixer”.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have splashed the cash on 47 players since taking over Wrexham to fuel their incredible promotion run.
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Hollywood duo have spent significantly on incomings
Have climbed from National League to League One
Mo Faal remains the record signing for £590,000
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Wrexham have undergone a stunning transformation since Reynolds and McElhenney purchased the club in February 2021. The Hollywood duo's financial backing has been instrumental in propelling the North Wales outfit from the National League to League One, with lofty ambitions of eventually competing in the Premier League.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
According to Wrexham's spending spree has seen the arrival of 47 players, with the duo spending nearly £6.2 million ($7.8m) on transfer fees. This represents an average outlay of £132,000 ($167,000) per player, spread across seven players per transfer window since the summer of 2021. While many of Wrexham's standout acquisitions, such as Paul Mullin, Elliot Lee, and Arthur Okonkwo, have been free transfers, the club's financial muscle has been flexed in recent big-money moves.
The first significant splash came in January 2022, when striker Ollie Palmer joined Wrexham from AFC Wimbledon for a reported fee of £300,000. This record was short-lived, however, as the club pushed its spending limits further in subsequent windows. This summer, Wrexham shelled out an estimated £500,000 to sign midfielder Ollie Rathbone from Rotherham United, only for that record to be surpassed again by the £590,000 acquisition of Mo Faal from West Brom.
DID YOU KNOW?
Parkinson, who took charge of the team during the Reynolds-McElhenney era, has overseen a remarkable ascent, guiding Wrexham to back-to-back promotions. The club is now eyeing an unprecedented third successive promotion to the Championship. ambitions received an additional boost with new investment from the Allyn family of New York. The £11.3 million share issue announced recently adds to the club's financial arsenal, ensuring that the Red Dragons are well-equipped to pursue further success.
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WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?
Wrexham face a critical test next Tuesday with a home game against sixth-placed Barnsley. A positive result will help them keep the pressure on leaders Wycombe as they currently find themselves trailing by four points, having played a match more.
Celtic have less than a month left in the summer transfer window to finish off any other business they want to do before it slams shut at the end of August.
The Hoops only added one outfield player to their squad during the off-season and it was a star who was already at the club on loan last term – Paulo Bernardo.
Brendan Rodgers has also swooped to sign two new goalkeepers to replace Joe Hart, who retired at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, in Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo.
Despite the club's lack of activity in the transfer market over the last few months, the Bhoys started the new season in impressive fashion with a 4-0 win over Kilmarnock at Parkhead on Sunday.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers applauds the fans.
That win may not stop Celtic from continuing to explore deals for new signings over the coming weeks, though, as Rodgers looks to build a side that can compete across all fronts domestically and in the Champions League.
One player the Hoops could sign is a Premier League starlet who has been linked with a move to Parkhead this summer, as he could be a dream signing for Reo Hatate in midfield.
Celtic's interest in Premier League dynamo
Last month, Tunisian radio station Mosaïque FM, as relayed by Sport Witness, claimed that the Scottish giants are one of the teams interested in a deal to snap up Manchester United central midfielder Hannibal Mejbri.
The report stated that Celtic are keen to sign the Tunisia international to bolster their squad and that they are preparing an offer for his services.
It also revealed that the Premier League giants are prepared to sanction a permanent exit for the academy graduate, whose contract at Old Trafford is due to expire at the end of the season.
Hannibal Mejbri
The outlet did not claim how much Celtic are willing to pay for the midfielder or how much the Red Devils would want for the talented ace this summer.
However, it has been reported elsewhere that Rangers are also keen on a deal for the Tunisian dynamo and that United would be looking for a fee of at least £7m.
Former Manchester United striker and legend Andy Cole has urged Hannibal to consider a move to Scotland to play for one of Glasgow's clubs, as it would be an "interesting" next step in his career.
Celtic must now press ahead with a swoop for the midfield talent as he could be a dream alongside Hatate in midfield, particularly if Matt O'Riley moves on amid reported interest from West Ham United and Chelsea.
Reo Hatate's midfield brilliance
The Japan international started the 2024/25 campaign in perfect style with a fantastic performance in the middle of the park against Kilmarnock on Sunday.
He opened the scoring for the Hoops with a brilliantly composed touch and finish around the edge of the box, drilling the ball into the bottom left corner under little pressure due to the quality of his first touch.
It was an impressively clean goal and that summed up his performance on the day, as Hatate completed 81% of his passes, 100% of his dribbles, and won five of his nine ground duels.
The 26-year-old star will be hoping for a strong season after his struggles last term. He missed a staggering 40 matches through injury for club and country, with calf and hamstring issues.
However, his form in limited matches last season and his superb performances in the 2022/23 campaign suggest that he could be ready for a huge season for Celtic if he can stay fit.
Appearances
32
16
Goals
6
3
Assists
8
4
Big chances created
10
3
Key passes per game
1.3
1.1
As you can see in the table above, Hatate is a central midfielder who can pop up with important contributions at the top end of the pitch as a scorer and a creator of goals.
The Japanese whiz, when fit and available for selection, is an exciting player to watch who can make things happen in the final third at an impressive rate, as illustrated with his superb goal against Kilmarnock.
Due to that, he could love to play alongside Hannibal due to the midfielder's dynamism and creative potential in the middle of the park as a possible signing for Celtic.
Why Celtic should sign Hannibal
Firstly, signing the Manchester United youngster for £7m, or a lower fee if they can negotiate a deal, this summer would be an investment by the club.
At the age of 21, Hannibal is a young player with plenty of time left ahead of him to develop and improve his game over the years to come, which means that Rodgers could work with him on the training pitch and help to make him a more valuable asset in the future.
Hannibal Mejbri
Last season was a difficult for one for him, as it was for Hatate, as he only made five appearances in the Premier League for United and played six games in LaLiga on loan at Sevilla.
The previous campaign, however, was more impressive from the young ace as he spent the year on loan with Birmingham City in the English Championship.
Assists
0.23
Top 7%
Expected Assisted Goals
0.18
Top 10%
Shot-creating actions
3.14
Top 24%
Tackles
2.31
Top 27%
Interceptions
1.20
Top 25%
Blocks
1.20
Top 44%
As you can see in the table above, Hannibal caught the eye was a creative and combative force in midfield for Birmingham across 38 games in the division.
He proved that his academy form for United at U23 level could translate over to senior football, after his return of 17 assists in 41 matches for the Red Devils' U23s.
Hannibal, who U23 scout Antonio Mango claimed can "unlock defenders" with his ability on the ball, has the quality to make things happen as a superb creator from midfield.
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This is why he could be a dream for Hatate, who has showcased his knack for scoring goals in the Scottish Premiership, as they could link up in the middle of the park to combine for goals, with the Tunisia international creating chances for the Japanese star to tuck them away.
Fast bowler undergoes successful surgery to remove glass fragment from his hand
Nagraj Gollapudi31-Mar-2021Jofra Archer is set to return to India to play for the Rajasthan Royals after a period on the sidelines recovering from injury, despite some early doubts over his availability for the 2021 IPL.ESPNcricinfo understands Archer, who had finger surgery on Monday in England, is expected to miss at least the first four matches of the Royals’ schedule.The IPL, which will be played behind closed doors in India, starts on April 9 with the Royals scheduled to play their first match on April 12 in Mumbai against the Punjab Kings.The Royals were awaiting an update from the ECB on a firm date of departure, but it is understood the franchise expects him to be out for at least for the first four matches.On Wednesday, the ECB said Archer had undergone successful surgery to remove a fragment of glass from the middle finger on his right hand and that he would now begin two weeks of rehabilitation. He would be reviewed by a consultant before returning to training and more would be known about the effectiveness of an injection to an ongoing elbow problem, once he was bowling again, the ECB added.In terms of his IPL involvement, the ECB said it was too early to confirm and a decision would be made once he was given the all-clear to return to bowling.Archer suffered a cut to his hand while cleaning at his home in January shortly before flying to India to prepare for their four-Test series. The ECB’s medical team managed the injury throughout the tour, and it did not impact on his availability.Archer returned to England from the India tour immediately after the T20 series in March to have the injuries seen to, the elbow issue having troubled him since the South Africa tour in January 2020.On Tuesday, Ashley Giles, the ECB’s director of cricket, revealed detail of Archer’s finger injury on BBC’s Tuffers & Vaughan show. According to Giles, Archer suffered a cut on the middle finger of his bowling hand in January while at home in Hove after dropping a tropical fish tank in the bath.”They’ve operated and I think they found a small fragment of glass still in attendance. It obviously healed but there was part of the fish tank still in his finger,” Giles said.On April 15 the Royals play against the Delhi Capitals, followed by the Chennai Super Kings on April 19 and then the Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 22.Additional reporting from George Dobell
We are just over three weeks away from the Premier League kicking off for another season of suspense-filled football, and while every club has a lot to fight for, few have quite as much as Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta's side will be hoping it's third time's the charm as they look to finally end their two-decade title drought and stop Manchester City from winning an unprecedented five in a row.
However, to give themselves the best chance of doing that, they must bring in some talented players this summer, such as Nico Williams.
The Gunners have been consistently linked with a move for the Spaniard, but whether they'll be able to get him is another thing entirely. So it's good news that Edu Gaspar ad Co have already lined up a brilliant alternative and someone who'd be the perfect Bukayo Saka rival at the same time.
Arsenal transfer news
According to a recent report from Turkish publication Sabah Spor, Arsenal are one of several teams interested in signing Galatasaray ace Baris Alper Ylimaz this summer.
Baris Alper Yilmaz for Galatasaray.
Alongside the Gunners, the report claims that North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur are set to meet with the player's representatives to discuss a possible transfer. At the same time, Brighton & Hove Albion, Liverpool, Manchester United and Aston Villa are also 'closely following the player.'
The report reveals that Galatasaray would entertain offers in excess of €30m, which converts to around £25m, and while that's still a significant sum of money, it's somewhat reasonable in the modern game.
In all, if Arsenal can get ahead of the chasing pack for Yilmaz this summer, then based on his recent performances, they should bring him to N5, as he could be both the perfect rival for Saka and an alternative to Williams.
Why Yilmaz would be a great signing
Okay, so for those slightly unfamiliar with Yilmaz, you may be somewhat confused as to how a player could challenge Saka and be an alternative to Williams, but therein lies one of the Turkish international's biggest strengths: his versatility.
In his career to date, he has started games all over the pitch, from right-back to centre-forward, but his two most played positions have been left and right-wing, with him starting 66 games on the former and 64 on the latter.
It's this experience out on the left that could see the 24-year-old become the Gunners alternative to the Athletic Bilbao ace, and his time on the right, where he spent most of last season, that could see him come in as a challenge to Saka.
So, with that said, how does he stack up against the Hale End superstar when it comes to pure output?
Well, as you'd probably expect given the outlandish talent of the Englishman, the Gala ace comes out second best, but it's close enough to suggest that he could act as the perfect bench option for the Gunners or even as someone who could start some of the less important games to give the 22-year-old some time to rest.
Appearances
55
47
Goals
7
20
Assists
12
14
Goal Involvements per Match
0.34
0.72
For example, while the Ealing-born gem scored 20 goals and provided 14 assists in 47 appearances last season, meaning he averaged a goal involvement every 1.38 games, the Turkish dynamo scored seven goals and provided 12 assists in 55 appearances, equating to a slightly less impressive average of a goal involvement every 2.89 games.
Moreover, with arguably the best centre-back in the world, Virgil van Dijk, describing the Rize-born star as a player who is "difficult for every defender" to play against, he'd probably surprise many Premier League fans.
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Ultimately, Arsenal have needed a player who can step in and cover for Saka for years now, and with Yilmlaz supposedly available for just £25m this summer, signing him feels like a no-brainer.
Looking to seal a summer of incomings in style, Aston Villa scouts were reportedly in attendance to watch their target in action as he got his league campaign underway on Friday.
Aston Villa transfer news
Whether it's Ian Maatsen, Amadou Onana or Jaden Philogene, it's been a rare occasion when Aston Villa haven't been stealing the headlines on the transfer front this summer. Unai Emery has instantly been rewarded for taking his side into the Champions League with a host of reinforcements, representing the growing ambitions of those in charge at Villa Park.
Villa don't seem to be done there, either, with links to another attacking addition as Jhon Duran continues to be linked with a departure. According to Turkey-based outlet ABC Gazetesi, Aston Villa scouts were in attendance to watch Baris Alper Yilmaz as he got his Turkish Super Lig season underway in a 2-1 victory over Hatayspor on Friday night.
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With talks reportedly opened for his signature, that victory over Hatayspor could yet prove to be Yilmaz's final game for Galatasaray, especially if Villa match their supposed €30m (£26m) price tag for the winger, who can also lead the line up top.
With doubts over Duran's future, Yilmaz would certainly be a wise signing for Villa to make, and for £26m, he could quickly become a bargain buy this summer.
"Important" Yilmaz can replace Duran
On paper, cashing in on Duran before signing Yilmaz would certainly work for all parties. The Turkey international proved that he could cut it at the top throughout Euro 2024, during which he earned the praise of Virgil van Dijk after the Netherlands edged past his side at the quarter-final stage.
Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk
The Liverpool captain said (via Rousing The Kop): "Baris Alper Yilmaz was running constantly. He was running elusive. It was difficult for every defender. He made it very hard for us. He couldn’t score a goal though. If we were to describe him in any way, he is a really important player."
Whilst a goal didn't come for him in that game, Yilmaz had plenty to celebrate before the Euros following an excellent campaign at Galatasaray.
League stats 23/24 (via FBref)
Baris Alper Yilmaz
Jhon Duran
Minutes
2,543
475
Goals
6
5
Assists
6
0
With just weeks until the transfer window slams shut, Villa will have to move fast if they want to land Yilmaz's signature, and will likely need to find a solution for Duran's future before stepping things up. As has been the case all summer long, it seems Villa are a side to watch in the transfer market.
Pat Cummins has praised the ability of different players in the Australia side to stand up when the team needed it after they conjured a remarkable run chase in New Zealand to take the series 2-0.Australia were in huge trouble on the third evening at 34 for 4 chasing 279 and then at 80 for 5 early on the fourth morning when Travis Head departed. However, Mitchell Marsh – who had been given a life the ball before Head’s wicket – and the under-pressure Alex Carey put together a match-changing stand of 140 in 29 overs.Related
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Carey, whose position in the side was coming under increased scrutiny after a run of poor strokes, remained unbeaten to the end with 98 after Ben Sears had again rattled the chase with two wickets in two balls.”Think the story of this series was in key moments one guy stood up, we didn’t necessarily play the complete game, but in those pivotal moments someone stood up and made themselves a matchwinner,” Cummins, who struck a vital 32 not out, said. “[We] keep finding ways to win, it’s a pretty awesome squad.”He added that the tempo Marsh and Carey were able to bat at was vital in putting the pressure back on New Zealand’s bowlers. It also meant the second new ball wouldn’t be a factor.”We’ve been on the other side of it plenty of times and if the scoreboard’s not moving you feel in the game, but if they are chipping away it seems like it’s all happening pretty quickly,” he said. “That was goal today, be busy, keep the run rate ticking over and bit by bit getting closer.””[It was] pretty tense,” he added. “Pretty nervous watching for the last couple of hours, everyone trying to keep themselves busy then looking up at the board. Amazing win.”The victory meant Australia finished with six Test wins and one defeat in the season having beaten Pakistan 3-0 and drawn 1-1 with West Indies. They now have a long break from Test cricket before facing India at home in November.New Zealand captain Tim Southee was proud of the way his team fought but was left regretting seeing a golden chance of a first win at home against Australia in 31 years slip away.”The partnership with Mitch Marsh and Alex Carey sort of broke the back of our attack, but then a great little exciting end to the day,” he said. “When you are playing the No. 1 side in the world you need to go that little bit further. But a great Test match…ebbed and flowed throughout the whole match.”
In yet another hectic transfer window, Chelsea are set to complete their seventh signing of the summer, with a player reportedly set to travel to complete his medical in the coming days.
Chelsea transfer news
After failing to qualify for the Champions League in another dismal campaign last time out, Chelsea parted ways with Mauricio Pochettino in his debut season before welcoming Enzo Maresca fresh from Championship promotion with Leicester City. The former Foxes boss is the latest manager tasked with steering a sinking ship back towards glory under Todd Boehly, and he's certainly been backed in pursuit of that this summer.
New Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca
The Blues have so far welcomed six new players, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall following the Italian to Stamford Bridge alongside Omari Kellyman, Renato Veiga, Caleb Wiley, Marc Guiu and Tosin Adarabioyo.
Most recent signing Wiley is unlikely to be the last through the door, with just over a month left until the transfer window slams shut and a matter of weeks before the new Premier League campaign gets underway.
According to Esto Es Boca (via Ben Jacobs), Aaron Anselmino will travel to complete his Chelsea medical in the coming days to confirm a move worth around a reported £14m. All going well, those at Stamford Bridge will have a wait on their hands to see their new man in action, given that he is set to return to Boca Juniors for the remainder of their league campaign, which ends in December.
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Still just 19 years old, Anselmino fits the trend of young South Americans in west London, joining the likes of Deivid Washington and Angelo, who completed similar moves last summer. Boehly will hope that it is this new-found contingent that eventually takes Chelsea back to the top of English and European football.
"Promising" Anselmino is one for the future
Chelsea have once again focused on the future when it comes to the majority of their incomings this summer, despite enduring another campaign to forget last time out. It seems as though Boehly is more than willing to sacrifice present-day results with an eye on years to come, and Anselmino is very much a part of that.
The teenager will only benefit from an extra few months at Boca Juniors before making a claim for a spot in Maresca's squad, perhaps in place of the likes of Trevoh Chalobah, who was left out of the Blues' tour of the USA as they look to show their academy graduate the door. Described as "highly promising" by South American football expert Nathan Joyes, Anselmino has a big future ahead.
A seventh signing of the summer, Chelsea have splashed the cash yet again in the hope of finally returning to the Champions League places this season.
Arsenal, after easing past Wolves on the opening day, are now reportedly closing in on their latest summer signing to hand Mikel Arteta another boost.
Arsenal transfer news
It was business as usual at The Emirates on Saturday, with Arteta's side opening the scoring through Kai Havertz before Saka sealed the points with an excellent effort. The Gunners are, of course, attempting to make it third time lucky in pursuit of dethroning Manchester City in the Premier League, having suffered heartbreak in the previous two campaigns.
Given how close they came in the last two seasons, Arsenal didn't need much in terms of reinforcement this summer and have instead been looking to add quality rather than quantity – highlighted by Riccardo Calafiori's arrival.
The Italian enjoyed a fantastic campaign at Bologna last time out, helping the Serie A side to shock Champions League qualification, but has since completed a move to North London to complete Arsenal's backline.
If anyone could pick out a problem area, meanwhile, it would have been the fact that the Gunners don't have adequate backup for Declan Rice amid Thomas Partey's injury record. But that's reportedly about to change.
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According to Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal are now close to signing Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad, with a fee already agreed worth a reported £29.8m with the Spanish club. Romano recently told GiveMeSport: "We are at the final meters and final details of the Mikel Merino to Arsenal deal, with my sources indicating that it could be something like 24-48 hours before we can say ‘here we go’ – it’s really, really close. They’re almost there, working on the final steps, and then Merino will become a new Arsenal player.
"There is already an agreement on the final fee, and the clubs have been working in the last two or three weeks on the payment terms, the deal structure, the add-ons, and they are now getting closer on all the details of the deal."
"Unique" Merino is ideal backup for Rice
A player who just won Euro 2024, Merino will now be after a Premier League title in a season that should see him provide Arteta with ideal backup for Rice and more. Described as someone who has a "unique profile" by analyst Ben Mattinson, Merino may even find himself used elsewhere in midfield, as Mattinson mentions.
What's more, it's worth noting that the 28-year-old should be in search of Premier League redemption following a spell at Newcastle United in 2017 that flattered to deceive. Seven years later, he will now seemingly get the chance to prove any doubters at St James' Park wrong.