Spot-fixing verdict should be a deterrent for players: ICC

DUBAI - International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Haroon Lorgat Sunday expressed hope that the sanctions imposed on three Pakistani cricketers 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”.

An independent anti-corruption tribunal, chaired by Michael Beloff, found Pakistani players Salman Butt, Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif guilty of charges relating to spot-fixing at the Lord’s Test against England in August 2010.

Butt was found guilty of breaching the ICC anti-corruption code by failing to report an approach made to him by Mazhar Majeed to engage in corrupt activity during The Oval Test match earlier in the same month.

Butt has been banned for 10 yeas, five years of which are suspended. Fast bowler Asif has got a seven-year ban, two of which are suspended, while young left-arm pacer Aamir has been banned for five years.

“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 I reiterate our zero-tolerance approach. I hope this investigation, and the verdicts delivered, makes that message crystal-clear.”

Chairman of the ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) Ronnie Flanagan added: “We have received significant support and cooperation from the newspaper’s investigators and the Metropolitan Police in order to develop the evidence on which the tribunal has based its decision. I would like to thank them for all of their assistance.”

On the publication of the tribunal’s written reasoned decision, Lorgat said: “We note and agree with the tribunal’s strong and unanimous desire for the ICC to publish the decision in the interests of all concerned in the world of cricket.

“We are also aware and fully respect the decision of the United Kingdom’s Crown Prosecution Service to charge the players with criminal offences in the UK and, with that in mind, we will carefully review the full decision and take proper legal advice before making any decision on publishing the reasoned determination.”