Should he be allowed back?

United Cricket Board of South Africa boss, Percy Sonn, says there could still be a place for Hansie Cronje in South African cricket.

It would be an incredible reprieve for Cronje, who was made cricket's pariah after he admitted receiving money from bookmakers in exchange for match information.

Other UCBSA representatives were quick to point out that Cronje's return is not imminent and that Sonn was speaking in a personal capacity.

Nevertheless, neither UCBSA vice-president Robbie Kurz nor managing director Gerald Majola ruled out the possibility of Cronje's return to South Africa's cricketing fold.

Should Cronje be forgiven?

Surely the main issue here is the precedent that would be set in allowing him back. In essence, you are saying any player caught accepting bribes maybe looking at a two year ban. I don't think this would be the right message.
John, UK

I am very surprised that everybody is being so critical. Cronje is a human being and can make a mistake and he did admit that he made a mistake and he's already been punished.

He is a great player of history. He is the only one who can compete with Steve Waugh. I have a great wish that one day Cronje will go back to cricket and will face Australia and rest of the world.
Waizee, Pakistan

I say let him back. He's paid his dues. His punishment was harsh enough as it was and I'm sure he's learnt his lesson. It isn't as though is is a serial killer. He accepted money to fix up a match got severely punished for it, but I think it's time to let up on him and give him another go.

After what's happen he surely won't try anything like that again. He still has alot to offer in South African Cricket and I think he's paid the price. He deserves another chance.
Hannah, Australia

Yeah, bring him back! He's an honest man and has admitted his mistakes. Plus South Africa need him big time. If Mark Waugh, Shane Warne, Wasim Akram, and the others can keep on playing why not Hansie? I love the guy despite the fact that I'm a Pakistan supporter.
Bilal Ijaz, Canada

Never again should he, Azhar or anyone even remotely connected to this scandal be allowed to enter the game. Shame on them and shame on those people who want them back again.
Srinivas Rangaraj, Canada

They shouldnt let him play. Maybe coach or manage, but definitely not play. It doesn't set the right example for cricketers around the world.
Siddhartha, India

Maybe he can be banned from playing one-dayers. It may sound illogical, but this is the only way South Africa can become a superpower in Test cricket. He really had a telling difference with his presence.
Uthams, USA

Hansie Cronje disgraced the world of cricket and all those who follow it. Under no circumstances should he be allowed back into the game.
John Ballard, Great Britain

What Hansie did is no worse than what a lot of other players who are still playing have done. The only reason he has been crucified is because people perceived him as such a sportsman, and basically the last person in the sport who would do such a thing. The cricket world got a shock and had to make an example of him. I think all should be forgiven and he should be allowed back into the game. If he is kept out youngsters will not learn from his mistakes, as he will be forgotten.
Cameron Pitchford, Zimbabwe

I wonder if South African posters' desire to have Cronje back is anything to do with their whitewash in the latest Test against Australia? I don't think Bill (UK) was seriously comparing him with Bin Laden, he was simply pointing out that any talk of forgiveness is ridiculously premature. What's the point of punishing someone if you plan to rescind that punishment within a year?
Eddie, England

A lifetime ban is a lifetime ban, but if it is overturned, that should be the decision of the South African people. He let them down, and it's no one else's business. Either way he shouldn't get a free entry back into the team and should earn his place in the side by performing in the local SA cricket teams.
Rahul, USA

Bill's comments are total rubbish. To compare Hansie to Osama Bin Laden is an outrage. Yes, he took money, but he did not murder anyone. He has plenty to offer SA cricket in teaching terms, but I do not think he should be allowed to play again.
Blair Hewitt, South Africa

The comments by Bill (UK) are so ridiculous. To compare what Hansie Cronje did to the likes of Osama Bin Laden and other criminals in jail shows that you have a very small mind.

What Hansie did was wrong but certainly does not compare to terrorism. He has been fined, humiliated and lost his job. Let him now get on with his life and give something back to the sporting community.
Tish, England

Cronje should NEVER be allowed back into any form of cricket. Not only did he disgrace the name of this great sport he damaged the reputation of South African cricket. An example MUST be made and he must continue his punishment. It will be a very dark day for cricket if he is allowed back!
Scott, England

No, he shouldn't - he cheated and lied and got caught doing it. He has to be made an example of, whatever slight twinges of sympathy we might feel for him and his tattered reputation.

It is important to send the message that corruption in cricket is not acceptable and a lifetime ban from the game is the only precedent that could be set in the circumstances
Alex, UK

If SA forgive Cronje, they take away the only semblance of action taken against cricketers who have cheated us in the last decade. At least let Cronje be the symbol of punishment for loss of innocence of an average fan.
Prateek Gupta, India

I think it is ridiculous that SA are even considering allowing Cronje anywhere near our sacred game. Cronje has admitted he corrupted our game, and although he is not the only one, he should not be allowed the chance to do it again.

If he loves the game so much he would be able to understand this and realise he cannot be given that chance. It beats me why anyone would want him involved with the sport again. He has completely tarnished his reputation as one of the greatest captains to walk onto a cricket pitch.
Matt, UK

No man is, and ever should be, bigger then the game of cricket - Hansie has died a million deaths in the last few months and I think that is enough of a sentence for his role in match fixing.

Let him now concentrate on what he can do for the game, because he has tremendous potential that the game really needs.
Neil Pandya, India

I think Mr.Cronje should be too ashamed to show his face anywhere near a cricket ground.
Mal Walker, Australia

I think that Hansie should be allowed back into SA cricket. He is such a brilliant cricketer and has much still to offer in terms of knowledge and experience. You just need to look at his record as captain to see what amazing feats he achieved during his time as captain.

Even though he was found guilty - there are many others who, too, were found guilty of similar offences and are still largely involved in international cricket today. The powers that be needed a scapegoat to show that they had the problem of cricket corruption under control. Hansie was that scapegoat!
Chad D'Arcy, South Africa

Yeah, let's forgive him. While we're about it there are jails full of people we could forgive. Let 'em all out I say, give 'em another chance. That Osama Bin Laden, he wasn't such a bad bloke either. Why don't we forgive him too? What's the point in punishing people, it never works. Let's just give up and let everyone do precisely what they want.
Bill, UK