Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir remain provisionally suspended by the ICC on charges of spot-fixing after their appeals were rejected during a two-day hearing in Dubai.
Michael Beloff, the ICC code of conduct commissioner who chaired the hearing, said the players - who cannot appeal this verdict - will now appear before an independent anti-corruption tribunal that will look into the actual charges and give a verdict on whether the players are innocent or guilty.
“Having considered every aspect of the case I dismiss their appeals and they remain suspended,” Beloff told reporters outside ICC headquarters. "The players have denied the charges, but they will remain suspended before a code of conduct commission is formed to hear the case.
“It was not up to me to decide whether they committed any crime, the commission will establish their guilt and if they are found guilty then they will be given punishment as per the ICC code of conduct.”
There is no time limit for when the tribunal will be set up, the ICC saying in a statement only that it will happen in “due course.” Butt’s lawyer Khalid Ranjha, however, indicated there was a 40-day timeframe. “The decision has left us unhappy,” he told reporters. “The hearing was fair and thorough, and now we have 40 days to fight the disciplinary case and we will decide our course of action.”
The PCB’s legal adviser Taffazul Rizvi said the decision was within the ICC jurisdictions and will not affect the actual case itself.
Mohammad Asif, who chose to withdraw his appeal, also remained provisionally suspended, along with Butt and Amir, from all forms of cricket pending the outcome of the independent anti-corruption tribunal, which will hear their disciplinary cases in due course.
The three players, prior to the suspensions, were charged with various offences under Article 2 of the ICC’s anti-corruption code. The suspensions came after the News of the World tabloid claimed to have exposed a scam in which deliberate, planned no-balls would be bowled by Amir and Asif during the Lord’s Test against England, with the involvement of Butt, who was then captain.
These hearings only concerned itself with the matter of the provisional suspensions and whether or not the ICC followed the correct procedures in taking that action. The matter of the players’ innocence or guilt and the actual charges against them was not heard.
Butt was represented by his lawyer Aftab Gul, a former Test cricketer, and Ranjha, a former law minister. Amir was represented by Shahid Karim, the lawyer who defended Asif in a doping case in October 2006.
Re: BREAKING NEWS: Butt and Amir's appeals dismissed
I can't believe I am saying this...but I think we are really going to need mohammed amir for the world cup!! I hope the whole mess is resolved before then.
Re: BREAKING NEWS: Butt and Amir's appeals dismissed
I can't believe I am saying this...but I think we are really going to need mohammed amir for the world cup!! I hope the whole mess is resolved before then.
Re: BREAKING NEWS: Butt and Amir’s appeals dismissed
PCB is stupid board among all the countries.
I salute Indian Board who didn’t listen a single comment against Suresh Raina. Ijaz Butt is just a “Nan Khanay Walla Pahalwan” and nothing else They must have some nice personality with a clever brain not a dumb person
Re: BREAKING NEWS: Butt and Amir's appeals dismissed
^^ all of you are forgetting.....that even though Pakistan may have needed them....He MADE A VERY VERY STUPID DECISION SOMEWHERE SOMEPLACE IN ENGLAND and now HE IS PAYING THE PRICE ALONG WITH AAMER......so Pakistan should move forward......if they are reinstated, then fine, other wise, Pakistan has enough talent to raise a respectable team for the WC....what they need is UNBIASED AND INTELLIGENT LEADERSHIP IN SELECTION AND ON THE GROUND!! Lastly they NEED players to be devoted to their national goal and deliver on the ground.
Period.
Re: BREAKING NEWS: Butt and Amir's appeals dismissed
nizam.. why not? he's only 18!!! he can come back at 23..still play for 10-12 yrs.. yes it will be hard work and require a lot of motivation but thats his punishment..
Re: BREAKING NEWS: Butt and Amir's appeals dismissed
As a Fan and true lover of cricket I say this; This current incident is like 911 bestowed upon all 'carring fans' in Pakistan and else where. It will take at least few generation to forget
what we are going through now, just like 'Fall of Decca'
I'm not prepared to forgive any one nor does the constitution of Pakistan forgives traitors who bring shame to the Country.
If proven guilty they should be locked away and forgotten !!!
Re: BREAKING NEWS: Butt and Amir’s appeals dismissed
It is shameful how Butt is playing to the gallery now claiming that it is a conspiracy against Pakistan. Where was his concern for Pakistan when he was lining his pockets and brought untold shame and embarrassment to Pakistan. Moron.
Re: BREAKING NEWS: Butt and Amir's appeals dismissed
Hope to see both of them back
Still nothing is proved against them
Butt said the right thing if ICC got the proofs why they r taking so much time show to the whole world and ban them
There is such a thing as police investigation. They are waiting for it. Butt is just protesting too loudly to prove his "innocence". He should have thought about the the consequences before getting involved in Satay baazi. As for proof watch the videos again, him walking up to Aamir before the ball is bowled and looking at where Aamir was bowling instead of looking at the batsmen. Innocent and Butt, yeah right.!!!
They must have some nice personality with a clever brain not a dumb person