The International Cricket Council will consider a “wide-ranging and, if necessary, independent review” of anti-corruption measures following the fixing allegations against Pakistan players, the sport’s governing body said on Tuesday.
“It is not enough that the ICC is regarded by other sporting organizations as a leader in the battle against corruption in sport,” ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said following a meeting of the council’s chief executives’ committee in Cape Town. “We must continue to assess and, where necessary, improve our processes.
“The recent allegations have reminded everyone of the need to remain vigilant and to ensure public confidence in our sport,” he said.
The committee, which includes cricket leaders from the 10 test-playing nations, said it supported the action taken by the ICC, which suspended Pakistan players Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir on corruption charges.
The three were accused in a British Sunday tabloid sting of arranging no-balls at predetermined moments during the fourth test against England last month.
“The CEC also reaffirmed the ICC’s zero-tolerance stance against any form of corruption within the sport and wished to send a strong message to players and other stakeholders by supporting the decisive action taken by the ICC in the face of the recent spot-fixing allegations at the Lord’s test match between England and Pakistan,” Tuesday’s statement said.
Mr. Lorgat said the committee recommended a “thorough review” of procedures and protocols, which was already underway.
Illegal gambling on cricket matches in India and Pakistan involves huge amounts of money, making the sport a target for spot-fixing and corruption.
British tabloid newspaper the News of the World alleged that Butt, Asif and Amir were paid by businessman Mazhar Majeed to bowl three deliberate no-balls during the final test at Lord’s, allowing betting syndicates to bet on “sure things.”
The ICC has charged the players under its anti-corruption code, suspended them and given them 14 days to respond to the allegations. The deadline for their response is Thursday.
All three have denied any involvement in meetings with the Pakistan Cricket Board and returned home to Pakistan on Friday, after giving assurances to British police that they would return when required to cooperate with the investigation.
“While the present investigations are ongoing we will not discuss or comment on any specific issues but this incident is a warning for all of us,” Mr. Lorgat said. “We must heed those warnings and heed them quickly.”
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