Dubai: Al Jazeera TV may find it difficult to prove their claims, revealed through their sting operation videos on corruption in cricket, as it may involve jeopardising the safety of their ‘sources.’

The ICC has requested Al Jazeera TV to provide them all the footage that is in their possession after the sting operation, which is believed to run into 15 hours. The ICC will be equipped to launch an investigation and punish those who tarnished the game only if the unedited version of what they showed on their channel is presented to them.

David Richardson, ICC Chief Executive Officer, has requested Al Jazeera for the footage: “I ask Al Jazeera to release to us all the material they have relating to corruption in cricket. We will conduct a full, thorough and fair investigation and ensure no stone is left unturned as we examine all allegations of corruption made in the programme. To do so, we need to see all the evidence they state they possess.”

It is not a surprise that ICC’s Anti-Corruption Units are powerless against match-fixers or bookies. As criminal elements are in play corrupting cricket, Al Jazeera would not want to risk the lives of the ‘sources’ that helped them expose the corruption in cricket. Bookies have claimed that many matches were fixed but the cricket world would need evidence to back their claims.

Journalists have the prerogative to protect their ‘sources’ and hence need not have to present evidence to a world governing body, nor can they be compelled to do it though the purpose of their programme was to expose the hidden corruption in cricket. The sting operation reveals that at least four Test matches in 2016-17 in the subcontinent were influenced by match-fixers. As criminals are in play corrupting cricket, Al Jazeera would not want put at risk the lives of the sources that helped them expose the corruption in cricket.

Commenting on the protection of journalists’ sources, Richardson has said: “We understand and fully respect the need to protect journalistic sources and our ACU team have worked with other media companies on that basis. However, to prove or disprove these allegations, we need to see the evidence referred to in the programme.”

The ICC has candidly admitted that despite all measures, these criminals are trying to influence players and now even curators. Former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilichrist commenting on the incident said: “No body, no nation, no team is immune to (spot-fixing) and there’s every chance it’s still going on around the cricketing world. So Australia, or England, or whoever they’re accusing — there’s a chance it could be going on, but if you’re that certain, then name them.”

Incidentally, it was the investigation of Board of Control for Cricket in India’s Anti-Corruption Unit, after the Police provided the findings, that led to the ouster of several top BCCI officials and cricketers in the wake of 2013 IPL spot-fixing and betting scandal. As long as Al Jazeera do not share their footage with the ICC, the villains of the game will go scot-free because of ‘lack of evidence.’