Nuwan Zoysa accepts ICC ban

By Bipin Dani

Unlike Dilhara Lokuhettige, who has challenged the ICC tribunal’s verdict on corruption charges and knocked the doors of the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sports), Nuwan Zoysa will not move court on his suspension.
Zoysa said, “No, I am not challenging this ban and respectfully accept the ICC verdict and the ban. It (the ban) is back dated (31 October 2018). Half the (ban) period is over. I will cooperate with the ICC in all possible ways, attend its educational programmes and will educate the young generation not to be involved in any corrupt activities.” 

Interestingly, one of the Tribunal Members, Simon Copleston had a dissenting opinion (Michael J Beloff QC and The Honourable Justice Winston Anderson were the other members of the Tribunal) to impose a ban for a lesser period, however, the majority survived. “In my view, Mr Zoysa’s period of ban should be suspended from either June 2021 or December 2021 and he should be permitted to resume his coaching activities and exercise the means he has available to him to support his family,” the Tribunal Member had opined.