The International Cricket Council (ICC) has provisionally suspended six umpires who allegedly agreed to spot-fix matches during a sting operation by an Indian television channel. The ICC said yesterday that investigations would be conducted by the respective boards of each country while the umpires remained barred from officiating in any matches. "The ICC and its full member boards have agreed not to appoint any of the umpires named in a sting operation conducted by India TV to any domestic or international cricket matches pending the outcome of the ongoing investigations into the allegations made," the ICC said. "The officials named are not contracted by the ICC and those boards who employ and nominate the umpires directly will conduct the investigations as a matter of urgency." In the sting operation, the reporters said they belonged to a sports management company and promised the umpires assignments in different events around the world. Footage screened on India TV showed officials from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka negotiating deals with under-cover reporters to affect the outcome of matches.