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ICC rejects England-Pakistan Oval ODI fixing claims

Ijaz Butt
Butt has admitted he has no proof for the claims

The International Cricket Council says there is no "compelling evidence" to back up 'fixing' claims in England and Pakistan's third one-day international.

The Sun newspaper claimed to have had evidence anticipating Pakistan scoring patterns at The Oval on 17 September.

Pakistan cricket chief Ijaz Butt then responded by saying he had heard England players had been paid to lose.

The ICC's anti-corruption and security unit will reopen the matter if "new evidence comes to light."

A statement from the ICC read: "Following extensive investigations into allegations about the one-day international between England and Pakistan at The Oval in London on 17 September, the ACSU has verified all the available information and concluded that there was no compelling evidence to suspect individual players or support staff."

The ACSU launched an inquiry after the Sun claimed to have evidence showing bookmakers knew details of the Pakistan innings before the match had begun.

Butt then hit back, alleging that talk in Asian bookmaking circles was that England players had been paid to lose the match.

This drew a threat of legal action from the England and Wales Cricket Board, before Butt withdrew his comments, stating that he had "never intended to question the behaviour and integrity of the England players nor the ECB."

"The investigation is now complete but if new and corroborating evidence comes to light then clearly the ACSU will reopen the matter," the ICC statement added.

ICC president Sharad Pawar said the game's authorities had a duty to do everything they could to fight anything which might damage the game in the eyes of its fans and players.

The future of our great sport depends on the public maintaining their confidence in the games they are watching

ICC president Sharad Pawar

"We reiterated our support for the strong and decisive action which was necessary to protect the integrity of the great game of cricket," Powar said.

"We have stressed, without any comment on the present case, that we will not tolerate any form of corruption in cricket and that we will work tirelessly to root out those who have acted in a way which brings cricket into disrepute.

"The future of our great sport depends on the public maintaining their confidence in the games they are watching.

"We owe it to every player, administrator, every cricket lover to win this battle against a very small minority who may wish to corrupt this game. The matter of integrity is non-negotiable. Integrity and honesty are the bedrock of our game and ICC will protect that foundation stone with everything at its disposal."

The ICC also announced a special eight-point anti-corruption initiative in partnership with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), with an enhanced role for the Pakistan Task Team to restore confidence in the game.

Among the measures announced, the PCB must uphold a zero tolerance attitude to corruption, and introduce an education programme for all registered players, as well as an accountable and robust disciplinary process.

The PCB has also agreed to "desist from making public comments and disclosing confidential information which undermine the integrity, reputation and image of the game and/or any ongoing disciplinary or criminal investigation".



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see also
Ijaz Butt retracts 'fixing' claim
29 Sep 10 |  Cricket
Ijaz Butt refuses England apology
28 Sep 10 |  England
Pakistan tour manager Saeed quits
27 Sep 10 |  Pakistan
England warn Butt of legal action
23 Sep 10 |  England
ICC to probe third one-day match
18 Sep 10 |  Pakistan
Pakistan snatch win over England
17 Sep 10 |  Cricket


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