Italy's historic appearance at the ICC T20 World Cup in India has been overshadowed by a sexual assault allegation against a senior official of the Federazione Cricket Italiana (FCRI), triggering an internal crisis. Prabath Ekneligoda, 57, the federation’s women’s cricket coordinator, was suspended in November last year after being investigated over an allegation that he inappropriately touched a member of Italy’s women’s national team during a training session in Rome. The alleged incident, reported to police in March last year, is said to have occurred while he was administering a massage for a knee injury. Breaking It DownPowered via AIHow did Italy qualify for the T20 World Cup 2026?What is Crishan Kalugamage's cricket background?Who are notable supporters of Italy's cricket team?Also Read: Women's T20 World Cup 2026: India Vs Pakistan Date Confirmed - Check Full ScheduleAccording to a BBC news report, the player, whose identity remains legally protected, told investigators she delayed reporting the matter because she feared jeopardising her place in the national side. A Rome prosecutor concluded the investigation in November. Ekneligoda was interrogated by police the following month, and judicial authorities are now assessing whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial.
