CA Dismiss Network's Cricket Fixing Claims

"Our team haven't identified any issues"


Article heading image for CA Dismiss Network's Cricket Fixing Claims

Cricket Australia have dismissed claims of widespread global corruption in the game including the Big Bash League as unsubstantiated and incorrect.

Television network Al Jazeera released a documentary called 'Cricket's Match Fixers: The Munawar Files' on Sunday alleging 26 planned spot-fixes in 15 international matches - including seven involving England players - with five matches including Australian stars and three Pakistani cricketers. 

The claims cover Test, one-day international and Twenty20 international matches from the early part of the decade and revolve around the manipulation of so-called 'session betting', where wagers are made on how many runs will be scored in a specified number of overs. 

The Al Jazeera documentary was first aired in May and Cricket Australia, together with the ICC and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), have asked the network for further information after thorough examination of the evidence in front of them.

"Cricket Australia takes a zero-tolerance approach against anyone trying to compromise the integrity of the game, and to suggest anything otherwise is unsubstantiated and incorrect," said CA chief executive James Sutherland in a statement.

"Prior to the broadcast of Al Jazeera's documentary, Cricket Australia's Integrity Unit conducted a review of the latest claims by Al Jazeera and, from the limited information provided by Al Jazeera, our team have not identified any issues of corruption by any current or former player, including in relation to Big Bash League matches. 

"We have full confidence in our players in also protecting the game, and we are working closely with the ACA (Australian Cricketers’ Association) to keep them informed of any developments."

The ECB is also standing by its players, after evaluating the Al Jazeera files.

"ECB takes its responsibilities on anti-corruption and preserving the integrity of cricket very seriously," an ECB statement read. 

"Whilst the limited information we have been given by Al Jazeera is poorly prepared and lacks clarity and corroboration it has been properly assessed.

"Analysis of this by the ECB Integrity Team has cast no doubt on the integrity or behaviour of any England player, current or former.

"The materials we have been given have been referred to the ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) and we will continue to work with them, as is the correct procedure for protecting the game. We are also working closely with the PCA and keeping them informed." 

The general manager of the ACU, Alex Marshall, confirmed the body was already looking into the claims and appealed for the complete assistance of Al Jazeera, which has passed its files to Interpol. 

The ICC has also launched an appeal to find the alleged fixer Aneel Munawar after Al Jazeera's previous documentary was shown in May.

"The investigation into these allegations has already commenced ... as with the first program we have and will continue to ask for the co-operation of the broadcaster. We have made repeated efforts to engage with the broadcaster," said Marshall.

AAP

22 October 2018




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