On the face of it Sir Allen Stanford was a benevolent and generous patron of the sports but now more and more damning evidence to the contrary is emerging from the international cricket controversy created by his multibillion dollar scandal. When the players of the triumphant Stanford Superstars team was given their million dollars each as prize money, they were also persuaded to part with their riches in order that they may make a profitable investment with Stanford himself!

Far from making sensible investments, it now appears that the funds of players such as Shivnaraine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Dave Mohammed, Kieron Pollard and Sylvester Joseph are also in peril. Since many of the Stanford Superstars invested their winnings in the Sanford International bank, perhaps their fortunes will be lost as quickly as they were gained, now that the bank is in receivership.

And it isn’t just current players who will be hit by the Stanford cricket controversy; many of West Indian cricket’s greatest names were on Stanford’s payroll. Sir Viv Richards, Sir Garry Sobers, Sir Everton Weekes, Curtly Ambrose, Joel Garner, Lance Gibbs, Gordon Greenidge, Wes Hall, Desmond Haynes, Richie Richardson, Andy Roberts and Courtney Walsh were all reportedly paid retainers worth $10,000 a month and it would seem that is in peril as well!

Cricket players are not the only sportspersons who are affected by this; Michael Owen, the Newcastle United and England striker is the one who stand to lost probably the most.  Owen was brand ambassador for Stanford’s company and also had a substantial portion of his own savings tied up with his bank.

Golfer Vijay Singh will be another one bemoaning his association with Stanford. The former world no 1 and three time major winner may be seeing his annual $5 million endorsement deal goes up in smoke.

And now what must be making all these top sports persons nervous is the fact that the Texas born Antiguan billionaire is absconding. SEC officials were still in the dark about his whereabouts and authorities in Antigua in parts of South America meanwhile sought to quell fears among depositors as big queues formed outside branches of his bank. Stanford’s father, 81 year old James expressed his disbelief and incredulity at the charges, saying he had no idea where his son was. Among the many affected by this scandal are American politicians, whose coffers had been enriched by Stanford’s multimillion dollar contributions who are now trying to donate the funds they received from Stanford.

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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