Corruption in cricket will never be tolerated, says ICC chief
By ANISunday, February 6, 2011
DOHA - International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat has expressed a hope that the findings and sanctions imposed on three Pakistan cricketers by an independent anti-corruption tribunal will act as a strong deterrent to others who may be tempted to act in a way that threatens the integrity of cricket in future. he independent tribunal, chaired by Michael Beloff, found former Pakistan captain Salman Butt and fast bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif guilty of charges relating to spot-fixing at the Lord’s Test match between England and Pakistan played in August last year.
In addition, Butt was also found guilty of breaching the ICC anti-corruption code by failing to report an approach made to him by British-based bookmaker Mazhar Majeed to engage in corrupt activity during The Oval Test match earlier in the same month.
“I am satisfied that the proceedings are now over and we respect the findings of the independent tribunal. The members of this tribunal are extremely experienced and have considered the matter at great length after hearing detailed submissions from all parties,” Lorgat said.
“From the moment we became aware of the allegations of spot-fixing made by the News Of The World newspaper in August 2010, the ICC has left no stone unturned in pursuing this matter and we are therefore pleased with the outcome.”
“While I am deeply saddened that this case happened in the first place, I acknowledge and commend the decision to deliver lengthy bans to all three players. Corruption in our game will never be tolerated and, once again, I reiterate our zero-tolerance approach. I hope this investigation, and the verdicts delivered, makes that message crystal-clear,” he added.
Butt was given a 10-year ban from any involvement in cricketing activities, five years of which were suspended on condition that, throughout that period, he commits no further breach of the code and that he participates, under the auspices of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), in a programme of anti-corruption education.
Asif was given a seven-year ban from any involvement in cricketing activities, two years of which are suspended on condition that, throughout that period, he commits no further breach of the Code and he participates under the auspices of the PCB in a programme of anti-corruption education.
Amir was given a five-year ban from any involvement in cricketing activities.In all cases, the commencement of each of the bans imposed against the players will be backdated to September 2, 2010, so to give credit for the period of provisional suspension already served. (ANI)
