Coach of Italian women's cricket team accused of sexual abuse

ROME– The coach of the Italian women’s national cricket team, Prabath Ekneligoda,57, has been accused of sexual abuse and harrasment by a member of the team, according to a report by il Fatto Quotidiano. The athlete in question filed a report to the safeguarding officer of the Italian Cricket Federation last year, two years after the assault took place,

  Ekneligoda has denied the allegations. 

  According to the athlete the assault happened under the guise of a massage. “He massaged the ankle with oil and went up to the buttocks.”

  After the incident the athlete continued to endure psychological abuse from Ekneligoda and learned that other teammates had suffered the same abuse, according to the report. 

 “I want to report that I have been subjected to psychological pressure and sexual advances, along with several other athletes from the women’s national team and from Roma CC,” the athlete explained. Ekneligoda allegedly demanded sexual favours in return for a spot on the national team leading to players losing spots if they denied his advances. Among the abuse victims there is allegedly a minor. 

 The story takes another dark turn as it has been revealed that the partner of Ekneligoda is the federal president of the Italian Cricket Federation, Maria Lorena Haz Paz, 57, she is also the former president of the ASD, Roma Cricket Club which Ekneligoda founded. The athlete alleges that Haz Paz had knowledge of Ekneligoda’s behavior and took no action to stop him. 

 “She is aware of at least one of Prabath’s relationships with national team athletes and did not take any action in her role as an executive to inform the Federation.” She believes this is due not only to their romantic relationship but “support that Ekneligoda provides her, guaranteeing significant electoral backing and the necessary expertise in the sporting field.”

 CONI forwarded the complaint to Rome’s Public Prosecutor’s Office who opened an investigation into Ekneligoda for sexual abuse. They concluded their investigations last November and the former coach, who has been suspeneded, now faces the possibility of standing trail for sexual abuse.