Competition split open by complete whitewash (5-2)
I believe the answer is:
cover-up
'whitewash' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'competition split open by complete' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'complete' could be 'over' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'over' is present in the answer.
'competition' could be 'cup' (eg the FA Cup) and 'cup' is present in the leftover letters.
No letters remain.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for cover-up that I've seen before include "Attempt to prevent discovery of a crime" , "Whitewash" , "Conspiracy to conceal" , "An attempt to conceal the truth" , "Withhold information" .)