Verdict against Pakistani cricketers warning for others: ICC

Dubai (IANS) International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Haroon Lorgat says the London court’s verdict in the corruption case against three Pakistani players should serve as a ‘further warning’ for cricketers who are tempted to indulge in corrupt practices.

Lorgat read out a statement here late Tuesday night at the ICC headquarters and said that the guilty verdicts against Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif and the guilty plea of Mohammad Aamir appear to be consistent with the findings of the independent anti-corruption tribunal which was appointed earlier this year to hear charges.

The trio were involved in spot-fixing during the Lord’s Test against England in 2010. A three-member tribunal appointed by the ICC found them guilty and in February banned Butt, who was the captain during the Test, for 10 years while Asif and Aamir were suspended for seven and five years.

‘To be clear, the developments in the English criminal courts will have no impact upon those periods of suspension, which will remain in full force and effect,’ said Lorgat.

‘We hope that this verdict is seen as a further warning to any individual who might, for whatever reason, be tempted to engage in corrupt activity,’ he said.

Butt and Asif face jail as the Southwark Crown Court in London Tuesday found them guilty of conspiracy to cheat and accept corrupt payments.

Butt was held guilty on two counts - conspiracy to accept corrupt payments and cheat - while fast bowler Asif was found guilty of conspiracy to cheat. Aamir had already pleaded guilty to the charges.