An online tournament set up for East Midlands club cricket teams in the lockdown has been scrapped amid claims of vote rigging.
Clubs in the Leicestershire and Rutland Cricket League were drawn against each other and had to seek votes on social media, with the best-supported team going through to the next round.
But the competition descended into chaos after some players allegedly tried to influence the results with cash backhanders and fake social media accounts.
It forced the league to announce on Twitter: 'Virtual County Cup has been cancelled. Sadly, some individuals have decided to not enter in the spirit of the competition as it was intended.'
The online tournament, which had 55 entries, was at the quarter final stage when it was axed on Thursday.
Mark Barber of Leicestershire County Cricket Club, which organised the cup, said: 'It was meant to be a bit of fun to help people interact with the game at a time when they should have been getting ready to start their seasons. In the end it just wasn't worth all the debate and bickering.'
Among the clubs accused of bending the rules was Melton Mowbray-based Egerton Park, whose former players include England cricketer Stuart Broad. Daily Mail.
Clubs in the Leicestershire and Rutland Cricket League were drawn against each other and had to seek votes on social media, with the best-supported team going through to the next round.
But the competition descended into chaos after some players allegedly tried to influence the results with cash backhanders and fake social media accounts.
It forced the league to announce on Twitter: 'Virtual County Cup has been cancelled. Sadly, some individuals have decided to not enter in the spirit of the competition as it was intended.'
The online tournament, which had 55 entries, was at the quarter final stage when it was axed on Thursday.
Mark Barber of Leicestershire County Cricket Club, which organised the cup, said: 'It was meant to be a bit of fun to help people interact with the game at a time when they should have been getting ready to start their seasons. In the end it just wasn't worth all the debate and bickering.'
Among the clubs accused of bending the rules was Melton Mowbray-based Egerton Park, whose former players include England cricketer Stuart Broad. Daily Mail.
