Middlesex chief ‘groped Pinky the Panther club mascot’

Middlesex have promised to “investigate thoroughly” after they were charged with bringing the game into disrepute over the alleged behaviour of their CFO Illa Sharma, which included an incident with the club mascot.

It is alleged that at a Vitality Blast fixture at Lord’s two years ago, Sharma approached the Middlesex club mascot, Pinky The Panther. The outfit was being worn by a member of the club’s staff, who Sharma is alleged to have greeted loudly before touching inappropriately. This took place in full sight of the paying public on the Lord’s concourse, with parents said to have taken their children away from the scene in shock.

This incident has been described by sources as “the tip of the iceberg”, even if all other allegations are of a non-physical nature. Staff, including players, have been discomfited by her behaviour, which is alleged to include inappropriately sexual, suggestive and tasteless jokes and language, and openly discussing confidential information such as individual salaries (including those of players). She is alleged to have joked that players should keep on her good side as she paid their wages.

The Cricket Regulator confirmed on Friday Telegraph Sport’s story from last week that Middlesex have been “charged with a breach of ECB Directive 3.3”. They did not identify Sharma, but Middlesex had already confirmed that she was being investigated.

‘Overfamiliarity with board members’

Since the charge was revealed, further sources – including current and former employees, as well as those who have worked with the club as a third party – have come forward to Telegraph Sport with allegations, made on the condition of anonymity, over Sharma’s behaviour and the culture of the club.

Telegraph Sport is aware that a number of staff have left the club at least partly because of Sharma’s behaviour, with two employees claiming to have suffered from mental health issues as a result of their experience of working at Lord’s. Another source said: “To put it kindly there were multiple occasions when I witnessed overfamiliarity with board members and others”.

Sharma joined Middlesex as CFO in late 2021, and was asked to join the board the following year. The former City accountant is highly regarded by the club’s most senior figures, having improved Middlesex’s troubled finances. Last year, the club turned their first profit since 2016. Sharma is a close ally of CEO Andrew Cornish and is the step-sister of the director of cricket, Alan Coleman.

Middlesex to investigate the matter

The Cricket Regulator’s investigation saw it interview around 30 current and former employees of Middlesex, including Sharma herself, and now the club has been charged. It will be the subject of a hearing from the Cricket Discipline Commission. The club vowed to investigate the matter, but said it would be making no further comment. It is unclear if she has been suspended pending any investigation.

A statement read: “The Club has only today been presented with evidence to support the Cricket Regulator’s charge, and will be investigating the matter thoroughly, in line with our commitment to the highest standards of corporate governance.

A statement from the Cricket Regulator said: “Middlesex County Cricket Club has been charged with a breach of ECB Directive 3.3 following a Cricket Regulator investigation into an allegation of misconduct by an employee of the Club. The Cricket Regulator will not be identifying the individual concerned.

“ECB Directive 3.3 concerns conduct, acts or omissions which are improper, or which may be prejudicial to the interests of cricket, or which may bring the ECB or the game of cricket into disrepute.

“The charge will be considered in due course by the independent Cricket Discipline Commission. No further comment will be made until the case is concluded.”

If a player, coach, match official or agent were to be charged by the Regulator, they would be charged as an individual. However, the behaviour of the executive, board or a member of non-performance staff leads to a charge for the club.