Japan qualified for the 2020 U-19 World Cup in South Africa in quite a controversial fashion after Papua New Guinea - the team's opponent for the final of U-19 Asia regional qualifier - had eleven of its 14 players in the squad suspended by Cricket PNG for disciplinary reasons. 

The PNG board specified "internal disciplinary reasons and failing to adhere to our strict codes of conduct" as the cause of these suspensions and forfeiture. However, it has now been revealed that the players were caught shoplifting in the Japanese city of Sano. 

The ABC Pacific Beat reportedly detailed the incident as a "crime spree" before adding the players were released only after intensive diplomatic negotiations between Japan and PNG.

"Parents will be briefed first and foremost and brought up to speed with what’s gone on. From there they’ll be an internal investigation then they’ll obviously be sanctions and bans and what not that flows on from there once we’ve got right to the bottom of who’s involved, (and) who…the ring leaders (are)," CPNG Head Coach Joe Dawes told ABC. 

"The local police, the ICC, the EAP regional staff, everyone’s been brilliant with this. Young men have made some mistakes, but they (the police/ICC etc) have been really good with them, we’ve been able to get an outcome where the boys are on their way home."

"Not only does this rob the four guys who didn’t do the wrong thing, but there’s (lost World Cup qualification) funding attached with that, there will be fines from the ICC, there’s a lot of consequences that will come out of this yet, and hopefully all our sponsors will stick by us as well."

"99% of the people are all for strict punishments and discipline which we will be doing, but we will also be doing our best to see if we can educate the kids and bring them back into the fold at some stage," Dawes added.