The potential for corruption in cricket remains a real threat

Sir Paul Condon

Hansie Cronje: One of five players already banned

Police in India welcomed the report. It was the country's Central Bureau of Investigation that uncovered much of the evidence against a number of players.

"The report vindicates the stand of the Delhi police and it's nice to know our investigations had far-reaching effects," said KK Paul, joint commissioner of Delhi police.

Lord MacLaurin, chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, proposed strong penalties for any players found guilty.

"I have said that my board at the ECB will take a strong view if any of our players transgressed," said MacLaurin.

"My own view - and it might be thought to be strong - is that we would have life bans. You can't suspend people for six or nine months. They come back and the game has to do without them."

Sir Paul asserts match-fixing first arose in the 1970s when games are alleged to have been rigged to secure teams points and league positions.

Ever-growing problem

He also highlights heavy gambling on international cricket, especially at tournaments in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.

The head of the ICC's Anti-Corruption unit directs some of his fire at his employers for not dealing swiftly enough with the ever-growing problem.

Sir Paul has not 'named and shamed' any players in the report in case of future enquiries or legal proceedings. But cricketers already tainted by the crisis are sure to come under public scrutiny once more.

A number of players have been banned for life as a result of various match-fixing inquiries.

Stewart has denied any involvement

They include South African Hansie Cronje, India's Mohammad Azharuddin and Ajay Sharma and Pakistan's Salim Malik and Ata-ur-Rehman.

England's Alec Stewart is to be formally interviewed by the ACU in the near future.

He was named by bookmaker MK Gupta, the man at the centre of the Indian CBI report published last October, as having accepted �5,000 for pitch, weather and team information.

Stewart confirmed he will co-operate with Condon's investigation.

"I saw Sir Paul in the New Year and he asked me not to comment on anything and that's how it will be," said Stewart.

"I am happy to co-operate if and when asked by Sir Paul."

Stewart was backed by MacLaurin, who said: "The allegation against Alec was totally unsubstantiated."

The report is now being considered by the ICC president Malcolm Gray and other members of the Executive Board.

Sir Paul's report and the accompanying recommendations by the Code of Conduct Commision will be mulled over by the upper echelons of the ICC before they decide on an official response at next month's executive meeting.