Re: What evidence ICC has got?
With the players being released without any charges by the police, ICC must provide whatever evidence they have to wrap up this drama. Personally I think they have jumped the gun after coming in pressure from ECB but time will tell. To me their only hope is going to be NOTW's next edition which will come out on Sunday.
I sorta agree with you, they jumped the gun.
Re: What evidence ICC has got?
With the players being released without any charges by the police, ICC must provide whatever evidence they have to wrap up this drama. Personally I think they have jumped the gun after coming in pressure from ECB but time will tell. To me their only hope is going to be NOTW's next edition which will come out on Sunday.
What are you saying, that the players are totally innocent? The police released them because they cant bring charges against them because of UK laws, i.e. no one has been defrauded in UK. Doesnt mean that they didnt carry out this act. Instead of quickly wrapping it up I think ICC should thoroughly investigate this so that we are not faced with this drama day in day out.
Re: What evidence ICC has got?
^ **True. Violation of UK Laws** (Scotland Yard) and violation of ICC's disciplinary code (ACSU) are two separate domains. As such we cannot say anything with certainty at this stage
Re: What evidence ICC has got?
What are you saying, that the players are totally innocent? The police released them because they cant bring charges against them because of UK laws, i.e. no one has been defrauded in UK. Doesnt mean that they didnt carry out this act. Instead of quickly wrapping it up I think ICC should thoroughly investigate this so that we are not faced with this drama day in day out.
The players most likely did this but we are looking for proof based on which ICC took that decision. Also, shouldn't ICC have 'banned' if they had evidence instead of 'suspending' them?
Re: What evidence ICC has got?
suspended till they appeal, then possibly banned. Besides players know what they have been charged with. Just because we do not know or the ICC is unwilling to say it in public at this stage does not mean there is no evidence. wait for the tribunal
Re: What evidence ICC has got?
The players most likely did this but we are looking for proof based on which ICC took that decision. Also, shouldn't ICC have 'banned' if they had evidence instead of 'suspending' them?
They have suspended them and given them the charge sheet. we dont know what is in that charge sheet. They have 14 days to respond to that, if they can clear themselves within this period, fine, otherwise ICC will take further action. That is what I understand.
Re: What evidence ICC has got?
They have suspended them and given them the charge sheet. we dont know what is in that charge sheet. They have 14 days to respond to that, if they can clear themselves within this period, fine, otherwise ICC will take further action. That is what I understand.
That is answer to the question, what about proof based on which ICC took the decision :D
Re: What evidence ICC has got?
What are you saying, that the players are totally innocent? The police released them because they cant bring charges against them because of UK laws, i.e. no one has been defrauded in UK. Doesnt mean that they didnt carry out this act. Instead of quickly wrapping it up I think ICC should thoroughly investigate this so that we are not faced with this drama day in day out.
I don't know if they are innocent. I also don't know if they are guilty. ICC suspended them because they apparently gathered some evidence against them on Wednesday night. I am certain the players will definitely respond within 14 days to defend these charges before an anti-corruption tribunal.
C'mon Ehsan bhai you really think that ICC suspended them because they got the evidence to charge them or they just made the decision in haste under ECB's pressure who were concerned about the T20 and ODI series being impacted by the presence of three players. I think the latter is true and they have no concrete evidence except for these NOTW videos and in that case they need to quickly wrap up all this drama.
Re: What evidence ICC has got?
PCB could have selected these players for T20s. pat lo!
http://www.cricinfo.com/england-v-pakistan-2010/content/current/story/475673.html
**What did you try to impress upon the PCB? **
Earlier in the week, [we urged them] to do the right thing, which was to not select the players because there were just too many allegations, too much speculation and the public would not have confidence in the players. They [the players] needed the opportunity to clear themselves, so we were throughout the course of the week trying to impress upon them to do the right thing and not involve them in the remainder of the tour, for their own sake. And then on Wednesday night, Mr [Ijaz] Butt was quoted as saying that they were available to play. We realised that if that was indeed the case, we needed to move quicker. We worked quite hard to complete what we needed to do. We were surprised the next morning when they announced the non-selection, but by then we had progressed to a point completing our work.
Re: What evidence ICC has got?
That is answer to the question, what about proof based on which ICC took the decision :D
The proof or details of the allegations are in the charge sheet which they delivered to the players last night. i am not privy to it. Lets see what comes out in the next few days.
I don't know if they are innocent. I also don't know if they are guilty. ICC suspended them because they apparently gathered some evidence against them on Wednesday night. I am certain the players will definitely respond within 14 days to defend these charges before an anti-corruption tribunal.
C'mon Ehsan bhai you really think that ICC suspended them because they got the evidence to charge them or they just made the decision in haste under ECB's pressure who were concerned about the T20 and ODI series being impacted by the presence of three players. I think the latter is true and they have no concrete evidence except for these NOTW videos and in that case they need to quickly wrap up all this drama.
I think ECB pressure played its part but is not the sole reason. secondly if you view it just as a drama than you think it is all made up. Come on Fahad you know better than that. we are in the mess we are because we have always thought that our players are clean and everyone else is conspiring against them. Why is it that BD and Aus visited England this year and out of the four teams playing here this year only Pakistan was targeted. yes, if it was as strong as the 80's team, I would have thought that and did so when they were targeted with the ball tampering affair. this team is no threat to anyone than why would anyone want to drag them down. I dont agree that it is a drama and that it should be wrapped quickly. ICC needs to carry out a thorough investigation and get to the bottom of this once and for all.
Re: What evidence ICC has got?
^ ICC Suspended them BECAUSE that Jack @$$ butt was every day reiterating that all 3 players are available for selection for T20 and ODI and with Butt, you never know. They might have included these 3 in T20/ODI playing eleven and that would have been disaster!
Re: What evidence ICC has got?
^ ICC Suspended them BECAUSE that Jack @$$ butt was every day reiterating that all 3 players are available for selection for T20 and ODI and with Butt, you never know. They might have included these 3 in T20/ODI playing eleven and that would have been disaster!
Correct. Ijaz Butt was acting like a stupid Pak cricket fan..pehlay proof to dikhao phir sochain gay.
If PCB and Salman Butt are so confident then why don't they sue the damn NOTW?
Re: What evidence ICC has got?
Evidence enough for ICC
If Thursday began quietly, meandered along and ended in a bang as the International Cricket Council suspended Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt, Friday got off to a hectic start in London, the epicentre of the latest scandal to rock cricket. At 11 a.m. England time, Haroon Lorgat, chief
executive of the ICC, and Sri Ronnie Flanagan, cricket’s anti-corruption chief, spoke in detail for the first time since allegations of impropriety were levelled against key Pakistani players.
“The press suggested this week that why didn’t the ICC act immediately. There was no specific cause to make us act yesterday,” explained Flanagan. “It was about taking legal advice, having teleconferences and examine the case.”
“The conclusion was that it was an arguable case against the players,” said Flanagan. “We certainly came to the conclusion that they have a case to answer to our disciplinary commission.”
Lorgat, for his part, re-emphasised that the ICC would be “decisive” in its action but only after establishing the players’ guilt. “We promise to be decisive. We got a week for due diligence. We have got to be very mindful of the interviews that are going on right now with the police.”
Flanagan, however, would not say whether criminal charges would be pressed against the players.
“It would be absolutely wrong for me to comment (on whether criminal charges would be brought). If the police find evidence, it is for the prosecuting authorities to make that decision,” said Flanagan. “We would be absolutely wrong to make a comment on that. It’s a complex investigation.”
Lorgat denied, however, that the latest affair was only the tip of the iceberg when it came to corruption in cricket.
“We can’t work on hearsay or speculation. The vast majority of players are honest and on occasions, they are not, we deal with it,” he said. “We don’t believe spot-fixing is widespread and in few instances where a few might be committing something we don’t want to see, we will act. Let’s see what the evidence we have.”
The ICC action was the first time the world body has suspended cricketers under its Anti-corruption Code.
The provisional suspension was handed under Article 4.6 of the Anti-corruption Code for Players and Player Support Personnel which came into force on October 6 last year after it was updated and approved by all ICC member nations.
Under the Code, the suspended players cannot play any cricket.
They will also be prevented from participating or being involved in any “other kind of function, event or activity (other than authorised anti-corruption education or rehabilitation programmes) that is authorised, organised, sanctioned, recognised or supported in any way by the ICC, a national cricket federation or any member of a national cricket federation.”
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Evidence-enough-for-ICC/Article1-595743.aspx
Re: What evidence ICC has got?
Bundles of cash ‘found in Pakistan cricket team hotel rooms’
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Mohammad Amir at Lord’s Graham Morris for The Times
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Salman Butt leaves a police station in London Carl Court/AFP/Getty Images
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Mohammad Amir leaves a police station in London after being questioned Carl Court/AFP/Getty Images
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Mohammad Asif leaves a police station in London after being interviewed Akira Suemori/AP
Ashling O’Connor, Sports News Correspondent, and Adam Fresco, Crime Correspondent
Updated 1 minute ago
Bundles of cash were discovered in the hotel rooms of four Pakistan cricket players during raids by police after the Lord’s Test, The Times has learnt.
The money was found in the possession of Salman Butt, the Test captain, the opening bowlers, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif, and the wicketkeeper, Kamran Akmal, according to sources.
Three of the players were questioned yesterday by Scotland Yard detectives after their suspension by the International Cricket Council, which acknowledged that it is facing its biggest corruption scandal since the Hansie Cronje affair a decade ago.
Akmal, who was among four players named in an exposé by the News of the World last weekend, had been thought to be above suspicion. He has remained with the Pakistan squad in Taunton and has not been interviewed by police.
He took part in a friendly one-day match against Somerset on Thursday and is due to play against England in a Twenty20 fixture in Cardiff tomorrow.
Yawar Saeed, the team manager, said the that wicketkeeper was not involved in the events. “We have no such information. Only three were searched — I was there,” he said.
**The revelations emerged after the ICC took the unprecedented step of charging Amir, Asif and Butt under its anti-corruption code and suspending them from all involvement in cricket.
It is understood that Butt faces at least six charges under Article 2 of the code, including encouraging his team-mates improperly to influence parts of the Lord’s Test last week, which England won convincingly.
All three players have been accused of being party to a fix in exchange for financial reward. Butt also faces a charge of disclosing inside information for the benefit of betting.
**
The three, represented by lawyers specialising in fraud, underwent questioning that began at 8am yesterday and was completed at about 7pm.
They arrived at Kilburn police station in London one after another in blacked-out 4x4s, starting with Amir, whose questioning lasted four hours, and finishing with Butt.
Detectives are checking whether the serial numbers of bank notes found in the players’ possession match those recorded by undercover reporters linking them to Mazhar Majeed, the alleged fixer.
The Croydon-based businessman, who boasted that he had up to seven members of the Pakistan team in his pocket on behalf of illegal betting syndicates in Asia, was arrested and bailed last weekend on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers.
Police are examining whether any of the money could have been sent abroad.A senior anti-fraud officer said: “If all the money has not been recovered they will be looking at safety deposit boxes or if it could have been given to a third party. It may be that it has been carved up and given out or just stashed somewhere.”
Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive, denied that match-fixing was widespread. But he said that the events were the biggest scandal in the sport since Cronje, the former South Africa captain, admitted fixing matches in 2000. “In terms of corruption in the sport this must rate as the next worst or as big as the Hansie Cronje affair.”
The ICC’s investigation is expected to last for months.
Re: What evidence ICC has got?
Pak sports minister threatens to sue ICC
Pakistan Sports Minister Aijaz Jakhrani has questioned the ICC’s suspension of the tainted trio of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir, and said the players may play the one-day series. He sent out a warning to the ICC that if charges were not proven against the Pakistani players, the government would go ahead and slap a hefty law suit against them in the UK.
Mr. Jakhrani, in an interview to a Pakistani channel, also threatened legal action against the News of the World tabloid if the allegations were found untrue.
Jakhrani did not use the word ‘dropped’ and said the trio was just ‘unavailable’ to play in the Twenty20 series as well as the ODI series against England.
Jakhrani said the three players, who allegedly took money from a bookie to bowl no balls during the Lord’s Test against England last week, will stay in London to cooperate with the Scotland Yard’s investigation into the ‘spot-fixing’ scandal.
"They are not playing because they have probably gone to answer the investigating team. They are not at the venue where the matches are being held, so they would not be playing.
Probably they will not play Twenty20 matches but they might be back for the one-dayers," Jakhrani said.
Jakhrani slammed the ICC for the punishment and defended the Pakistani players saying they were innocent until proven guilty.
“Pakistan is not the only country to be involved in match fixing allegations. Such allegations have plagued the South Africans, Indians, the IPL, the ICL and prominent West Indies players.”
He added that anyone can make allegations and maintained that unless the allegations are proven they remain only allegations. He stated that the solution to the problem of match fixing is to decide whether to make betting legal or illegal. He pointed out that betting is legal in England, but illegal in India and Pakistan. He went on to say that is not the job of the Sports Ministry to put an end to it but it is for the ICC and others to decide.
He said, “The ICC has made a very serious allegation, and it will be an exemplary case if the charges turn out to be untrue. This is not only a matter of cricketers’ pride, but it is also national pride. A cricketer when he goes to play abroad is a representative of his country. Salman Butt, Aamer are known as Pakistani players. We will sue the ICC if the charges are not proven. British laws are very strict in this regard. It will be very expensive for ICC.”
He stated that action against the players would be taken only if they are proven guilty by Scotland Yard which is investigating the corruption charges. Asked whether Scotland Yard had given any evidence of the players’ involvement in the scandal that has plunged the game into a crisis, Jakhrani said concrete proof was yet to be given.
“At the moment I have been told that there is no clear evidence that has been given by the Scotland Yard. They haven’t shown anything. We all are waiting for the investigation report to come,” he said.
“After that, we will be in a position to say whether it is spot-fixing, match-fixing or a conspiracy because there are reports that there has been a conspiracy against young talent Mohammad Aamir,” he said.
In an interview to a private Indian channel, former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas slammed the ICC for failing to put a stop to match fixing, and accused the body of making Pakistanis scapegoats.
“The allegations have not been proven. The only thing the ICC does is to complain to the team management when they find a player talking on the mobile phone. They should be catching the players for spot fixing. The fact that Scotland Yard has come in proves that the ICC is doing nothing,” said Abbas.
He alleged that match fixing was a regular phenomenon under the ICC’s reign. He pointed out that under the umbrella of ICC, matches still continue to be fixed. Abbas said that it is wrong for the ICC to point fingers only at the Pakistani cricket team. “The people can tell you how many matches were fixed under the ICC. We know what is happening out there,” he added.
However, the evidence against the Pakistani players looks concrete. Salman Butt was photographed with the bookie in question, Mazhar Majeed. The no-balls bowled at the Lord’s Test followed the exact sequence that Majeed had promised they would. Huge amounts of cash were recovered in Salman Butt’s hotel room which could implicate him. There was also a photo showing a jacket full of cash being accepted by players.
For now the ICC has suspended the 3 tainted Pakistani cricketers for irregular behaviour during the test at Lords. They have been formally charged under the Anti-Corruption code, which means the tainted trio will not be allowed to play any match until the inquiry is complete.
ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat has issued a statement saying that the cricketing body would not tolerate corruption in cricket. He added that the ICC will do everything possible to protect the integrity of the sport and that vigilance is needed to deal with such corruption. However, he said the ICC believes the problem of fixing in the game is “not widespread” and could be prevented by being always vigilant.
A guilty verdict for the tainted cricketers means they can be banned for a few years or even for life. The Anti Corruption Tribunal can also impose a fine on the cricketers depending on the charges levied against them.
http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/30014/pak-sports-minister-threatens-to-sue-icc
Re: What evidence ICC has got?
Pakistan cricket trio questioned on calls, texts and secret accounts
Three Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by detectives over text messages, phone calls and secret bank accounts linked to alleged match-fixing.
Mohammad Amir, the teenage bowler seen as one of the game’s most exciting talents, spent almost five hours on Friday being interviewed under caution.
He was asked about a message he allegedly sent to Mazhar Majeed – the agent arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers – last Friday, saying “Shall I do it or not?”
Hours later, it is claimed, he deliberately bowled a no-ball in the Fourth Test at Lord’s. Captain Salman Butt and bowler Mohammad Asif were also questioned.
They were asked about secret accounts in Swiss and British banks, which, according to the News of the World investigation, Mr Majeed said he had set up in their names.
Sources said that the role of Butt, interviewed last by the Scotland Yard detectives, was under closest scrutiny.
It has been reported that £50,000 cash was found in his room by police but he said the money, some in foreign currency, was to pay a dowry for his sister. Police are investigating whether the notes were those handed over by an undercover reporter.
It is believed that Asif has also told investigators that it was Butt who first introduced the players to Mr Majeed, his agent, several years ago.
Sir Ronnie Flanagan, head of the International Cricket Council’s anti-corruption unit, said that, having seen the evidence, all the players “have a really arguable case to answer in our disciplinary arena”.
Further revelations this weekend are expected to focus on four more Pakistan cricketers, and claims that the team would deliberately lose two coming one-day matches.
The scandal is being investigated worldwide by five agencies, including federal authorities in Pakistan and Britain’s Serious and Organised Crime Agency (Soca).
It emerged on Friday evening that Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs started looking into Mr Majeed’s tax affairs months ago and tapped his phone. They were apparently suspicious of phone calls abroad talking about cricket matches, and tipped off officials.
The disclosure will lead to questions about how long police and cricket authorities knew about the allegations.
As part of the Metropolitan police inquiry into the Lord’s incident, Amir was questioned at Kilburn police station in north London yesterday.
The 18 year-old was questioned in the presence of his solicitor over an alleged phone call from Mr Majeed the night before the Lord’s match about bowling no-balls.
According to the News of the World, Mr Majeed also said that, before play on the second day, Amir texted him to say: 'Shall I do it or not?’
He then bowled a no-ball in the third ball of the third over, as ordered by Mr Majeed, according to the paper. Asif was questioned next, for two hours. Detectives deliberately left Butt to last. All three players protested their innocence. None was arrested and they were released without charge.
Mr Majeed, 35, was arrested and bailed earlier this week pending further inquiries by Scotland Yard. He is said to deny the allegations. Scotland Yard sources said they were still in the “early days” of a “long and complex” inquiry.
Wajid Shamsul Hasan, Pakistan’s High Commissioner, has said the players will remain as long as is required “to clear their names”.
Re: What evidence ICC has got?
Suspension by ICC has shown PCB in poor light: Ehsan Mani
No one knows Pakistan cricket better than Ehsan Mani, who represented the Pakistan Cricket Board at International Cricket Council (ICC) since 1989 in various capacities.
Spot-fixing allegations against Pakistan players in the Lord’s Test against England has pained Mani, who was the ICC president from 2003 to 2006. A qualified chartered accountant, the 65-year-old maintains that the menace of bookies and match-fixing needs to be jointly tackled by the ICC, member Boards and security agencies. The UK-based Mani, who is currently in Pakistan on a private visit, spoke to TOI-Crest over telephone on the recent happenings that have rocked international cricket. Excerpts:
What are the options before the ICC in the given scenario?
As far as the ICC is concerned, options are rather limited. Right now, the whole matter is being handled by the British authorities, and rightly so. They are being aided by ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU). After the investigations are complete, charges may be pressed against the alleged offenders and the case will go for prosecution. It will be up to the Pakistan Cricket Board to take action based on the final verdict. Lack of action or any cover-up will damage Pakistan cricket badly.
What is the role of ICC’s ACSU?
The ACSU is not a prosecuting agency. It is more of a monitoring agency and carries out its own investigations and advises the ICC and all member boards on what procedures are to be followed to prevent all attempts at match-fixing . Among the important things that the ACSU does is secure the ground and the dressing rooms at all match venues. It has also drawn up a code of conduct for players, umpires and officials which is strictly monitored and implemented by the ICC with the help of all member Boards. Having said that, I must say that there appears to have been a communication lapse between the ACSU and the PCB in the Lord’s Test fiasco, in the light of what has been reported in the media, though it might be premature to pass a judgment.
Match-fixing and spot-fixing are harsh realities that cricket can’t wish away. What can be done to save the game?
The last thing we need to do is play the blame game. There is a huge illegal betting syndicate in the subcontinent that operates mostly out of India. An India-Pakistan match attracts millions of dollars in terms of bets. The system is not strong enough to break it. The only way to win this ‘war’ is for the ICC and member Boards to work in tandem with other security agencies.
Would you agree that the PCB has been rather lax in dealing with these issues?
Of late, the PCB has been hurtling from one crisis to the other. I think there is too much ad-hocism in the PCB which doesn’t appear to be on a sound footing. There is not only lack of transparency in its functioning, but also no accountability. Unless the PCB addresses these issues, I am afraid things won’t get better in Pakistan cricket.
**
Now that the ICC has provisionally suspended the three tainted Pakistan cricketers after the PCB withdrew them from the squad, do you see any threat to the T20 and ODI series against England?**
I think it is a step in the right direction on part of the ICC, but it shows up the PCB in poor light. The PCB should have taken the lead in taking action against these cricketers . As far as the T20s and ODIs against England are concerned , I don’t think there was ever any threat to the series . The game must go on. As administrators, we cannot allow the game to be hostage to bookies and fixers.
Isn’t it a unique coincidence that an Indian was at the helm of ICC in 2000 when match-fixing first reared its ugly head in international cricket and now Sharad Pawar finds himself in a similar situation?
You are right, it is a mere coincidence. The ICC is doing all it can to safeguard this wonderful game that we all love.
Re: What evidence ICC has got?
I just hope Met Police charge them and put them behind bars because If they come over to pakistan that will be the end of story.
Re: What evidence ICC has got?
Here’s another damning article…Butt is definately looking indeed like the ‘ring leader’ as was initially reported.
And probably the dumbest statement is the last one from Hasan. Who died and left him Judge and Jury? Moron.
**
The cricket playboys: Salman Butt pictured at the wheel of fixer’s £130,000 Aston Martin
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-1308922/Cricket-scandal-Salman-Butt-pictured-wheel-fixers-130-000-Aston-Martin-cheat-scandal-broke.html#ixzz0yWNBlkkO
Salman Butt, the Pakistan cricket captain and one of three players suspended by the ICC over spot-fixing allegations, was seen relaxing at the wheel of a £130,000 sports car belonging to the man at the centre of the scandal.
Butt sits in the driver’s seat of the Aston Martin DB9 belonging to Mazhar Majeed – the millionaire agent to Pakistan’s cricketers – who crouches in the back as wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal sits in the passenger seat.
The photo, taken outside the Pakistan team’s London hotel in July, provides an indication that Butt and his agent Majeed have formed a close relationship.
High life: Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal in the luxury car owned by Mazhar Majeed (back seat)
High life: Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal in the luxury car owned by Mazhar Majeed (back seat)
Majeed talks to the players in the car before getting out to make a phone call in private.
He then takes a seat on a wall outside the hotel as he speaks with Butt. Majeed and Butt face each other as they speak before teammate Akmal joins to listen to the conversation.
The photos emerged as investigators revealed that Majeed ran up a four-figure bill on his mobile phone in the days leading up to Pakistan’s Test series against England.
Calls to suspected bookmakers and their associates in Dubai and the Far East were made from mobile phones seized by police, officials believe.
Chat: Butt and Majeed outside the team hotel in July
Chat: Butt and Majeed outside the team hotel in July
Several calls are said to have been made in the days leading up to last week’s Lord’s Test between Pakistan and England, which is at the centre of four separate match-fixing and money laundering inquiries.
Investigators say there was intense telephone usage, running into several thousand pounds, by Majeed in the days surrounding major matches by the team over a two-year period – fuelling fears that other Tests may be implicated.
They said that during August, when Pakistan played four matches against England, British-born Majeed, 35, ran up a ‘substantial four-digit’ bill on a mobile number that had hardly been used in the nine months since a large number of calls were made at the time of the team’s controversial tour of Australia.
News of the enquiries emerged as police in Pakistan carried out raids in Faisalabad where a relative of Majeed was reported to have been arrested.
More than a dozen police officers in the city are said to be implicated and police spokesman Rana Mohammad Akran said computers had been seized and links with cricket gambling established to Dubai and the UK.
The three players implicated in the scandal – Butt, 25, and bowlers Mohammad Asif, 27, and Mohammad Aamer, 18 – were questioned separately under caution by Scotland Yard detectives in London yesterday. They were released without charge and without condition.
Their mobiles and laptop computers were taken by police in the aftermath of allegations that three no-balls were bowled at pre-determined points on the first two days of the match.
Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Aamer arrives at Kilburn police station to face questioning by police. Along with Test captain Salman Butt (below), he was later released without charge or conditions
Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Aamer arrives at Kilburn police station to face questioning by police. Along with Test captain Salman Butt (below), he was later released without charge or conditions
Pakistan cricketer Salman Butt (R) leaves Kilburn Police Station in London September 3, 2010
The Daily Mail revealed yesterday that marked notes paid by undercover reporters working for the News of the World as part of the sting are believed to have been found in Butt’s belongings.
Large quantities of cash were also found in rooms in the hotel where the Pakistan team stayed, the Mail has learned, but it is unclear whether they were from the £150,000 allegedly paid to Majeed. In secretly recorded discussions, Majeed, who claimed to have set up Swiss bank accounts to pay fees to players, boasted how money was laundered through a football club he owned.
Majeed, who was arrested and bailed by police, has also been questioned along with his wife Sheliza Manji, 35, and a 49-year-old Londoner by Customs officials investigating whether more than £20million has been ‘washed’ through Croydon Athletic Football Club.
The cricketing authorities are braced for further revelations this weekend involving other matches.
The three players engulfed in the scandal insist they are innocent but have been suspended from all matches by the International Cricket Council, the sport’s governing body.
Pakistan’s High Commissioner in London has attacked the ICC over its actions, accusing it of ‘just playing to the public gallery’.
Wajid Hasan said: ‘I met the cricketers for two hours, cross-questioned them, got to the bottom of it and concluded that they were innocent. The ICC had no business to take this action.’
**
Re: What evidence ICC has got?
With the players being released without any charges by the police, ICC must provide whatever evidence they have to wrap up this drama. Personally I think they have jumped the gun after coming in pressure from ECB but time will tell. To me their only hope is going to be NOTW's next edition which will come out on Sunday.
What are you on about ? I am sorry but I am a little disappointed in your level of understanding here.
ICC and Scotland Yard obviously do not have the same mandate.
SY has to prove that a "criminal" activity as per UK laws has taken place. This includes proving that illegal betting happened (not just that money was exchanged between a shady character and a reporter posing as a bookie).
For ICC on the other hand, the main concern is to make sure that all players are adhering to its code of conduct (ratified by by all member countries). For example, a player who was approached by a shady character but did not report it to the ICC officials may be guility of code of conduct violation (this has no significance for SY).
Bottom line is that SY and ICC are not upholding the same laws and do not have to meet the same burden of proof standards.
In this case, ICC has said that they have enough evidence to warrant an investigation against the players (they have not said that they have enough evidence to prove that the players are guilty). And while they are conducting that investigation, they have excercised their right to provisionally suspend the players in question. All this is as per ICC's code of conduct.
What is so unusual about this ?
Even in the US - cops involved in shootings resulting in somebody's death are routinely put under administrative leave by their department while the incident is being investigated.
Only if the PCB and that clown of a diplomat could get the above.....it is they who have jumped the gun in defending the players, not the ICC.