The ECB speak out on the controversy.
Less than 24 hours before captaining England against Australia in the Tri-Series, skipper Eoin Morgan has become the subject of a bizarre blackmail attempt.
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The ECB was contacted by an individual who wanted £35,000 – which was in relation to a fling Morgan (pictured above with current partner Tara Ridgway) had had with an Australian woman five years ago.
It was not the woman who spoke to the board, but a man who claimed he would reveal embarrassing details about the captain if they refused to cooperate.
The ECB were worried the story could disrupt the Three Lions’ preparations for the one-day international with Australia in the early hours of Friday morning and have decided to go public to defuse the situation.
“There were references to a relationship that Eoin Morgan had five years ago with a single Australian lady,” Paul Downton, the managing director of the England and Wales Cricket Board, told the London Evening Standard.
“It was brief relationship five years ago and what appears to be a fairly deliberate attempt to extort a sum of money from the ECB.
“The individual, who comes from Hobart, demanded that the money be paid before the first ball was played on Friday.
“We contacted the Metropolitan Police and a brief investigation tracked down this individual. He has now apologised saying it was not intended to go this far.
“My job is to ensure that the players have the optimum opportunity to prepare and play cricket for England both in the Tri-Series matches and the upcoming World Cup.
“We will not allow anyone to distract the players or the England captain.
“The ECB will not be pressing charges and the matter is now closed. The players will not be saying anything further at this moment.”
The man has been identified as a resident of Hobart and the new boyfriend of the woman Morgan was said to have had a relationship with five years ago. It isn’t believed that she was involved in the blackmail attempt however.
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