Is the ICC combating or encouraging match-fixing? - Asif Iqbal[ Khaleej Times]

[MIG]

My respect for Asif grows by the day - excellent article once again...

Is the ICC combating or encouraging match-fixing? Asif's Doosra (COLUMN) 4 June 2006 THE International Cricket Council is reported to have said that it will help to ensure that the South African duo, Nicky Boje and Herschelle Gibbs, are able to tour India in October without fear of arrest. Dave Richardson, head of the ICC's cricket operations has been reported by the Cricinfo web site to have said: "We can only facilitate the process. It is principally a problem of two individual players and they are obviously taking legal advice. But if we receive a request from the South African cricket board, we are willing to facilitate it." Gibbs and Boje have not toured India since the match-fixing scandal involving former South African captain Hansie Cronje broke in 2000, because they have failed to obtain any assurance from the Indian authorities that they will not be detained for questioning. I find Richardson’s statement utterly flabbergasting. On the one hand, the ICC has spent millions in a near futile attempt to eradicate the evil of match-fixing in cricket, while on the other it is here trying to ‘facilitate’ the case of two players who are under investigation by the Indian authorities on exactly that score. The fact of the matter is that notwithstanding the huge sums that the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit has spent, it has no powers to proceed against anyone even if that person were caught red-handed in the act. The only people who have the powers are firstly, the cricketing authorities of the country concerned who can take action against the individual player on a cricketing level, and the police authorities of the country where the offence is alleged to have taken place who can proceed against the person or persons concerned at a criminal level. The alleged offence in this instance is supposed to have taken place in India and since it is said to have involved South African players, the Indian Board has no say in the matter, which is entirely up to the Indian police authorities. I cannot understand what is the ICC’s interest in trying to ensure that Gibbs and Boje are cleared quickly so that they can make the South African squad for the Champions Trophy. If it is the case that it is feared that the Champions Trophy will flop or that the revenues expected from it will be seriously affected by the absence of these two players, then I am afraid that is a nonexistent case. One understands Richardson’s sympathies for his fellow South Africans, but he is here speaking on behalf of the ICC and the ICC if it is serious about tackling match-fixing, should be proceeding with the same fervour against all who are alleged to be involved in this offence, irrespective of race or creed. That does not appear to be the case. If, say, a Pakistani cricketer was required in Britain by the Metropolitan police in a similar investigation, I doubt if the ICC would be trying to ‘facilitate’ matters. In fact, I gravely doubt it. Much to the contrary, I feel that what the ICC should be doing is giving its unequivocal support to the Indian police, if they are serious about eliminating corruption and not just using it as a stick to further a racist agenda. One would have very much liked the ICC to be telling the South African authorities that they should be taking steps to make Gibbs and Boje available for questioning by the Indian police authorities. It is, of course, neither within the powers of the ICC nor the South African Board to ensure such availability, but it is very much within the powers of the South Africans to exclude whoever they want from selection and both players could and should have been clearly told by the South Africans that unless they present themselves to the Indian authorities they will not be considered for selection. And if the South African Board refuses to do so, it is well within the powers of the ICC to withdraw recognition from any South African side that includes players who are the subject of a police match-fixing inquiry when the players concerned are deliberately evading the police. How much may be expected from the South African authorities can be gauged from the statement of Dr Ali Bacher, former chief eecutive of the South African board, who said that Boje’s body language showed he was entirely innocent. Criimnal investigations are based on evidence, not body language, and since it was only Boje’s body language that was mentioned, are we to understand that the case against Gibbs is rather more substantial? Behind all this is the arrogance of many developed nations that the police in the developing world is simply not to be trusted. What will perhaps surprise them is that people in the developing world also do not trust the police in the developed world, albeit for different reasons. So if these mutual suspicions are allowed to rule the roost and the ICC goes by them, one cannot see the way forward on match-fixing. One can, however, see exactly why the ICC has spent millions on this issue through its much publicised Anti-Corruption Unit and gone about as far on it as I could throw a water buffalo. The writer is the former captain of Kent and Pakistan.

[Daoud]

Very good article that makes very sensible points

[Officer Barbrady]

At least we avoid playing at 'neutral' venues twice a year.

That helps keep fixing at bay.

[MIG]

I am beginning to think that this Sharjah thingy is bakwas - when people like Boje and Gibbs are walking around looking cool, all we in Sharjah is people betting on a game - no players are actually implicated.

And we just played a 2 match series in AbuDhabi...

[Officer Barbrady]

Originally Posted by MenInGreen I am beginning to think that this Sharjah thingy is bakwas - when people like Boje and Gibbs are walking around looking cool, all we in Sharjah is people betting on a game - no players are actually implicated. And we just played a 2 match series in AbuDhabi...

Actually the Indian investigation found evidence of player involvement in the Sharjah betting business. Thus they stopped India from participating in tournaments there. (Probably the same investigation that is after Boje and Gibbs)

Gibbs was banned for a while for his involvement while Boje was fined (if I remember correctly).

[MIG]

Boje and Gibbs are WANTED for questioning in India - ( pls read Asifs comment )- simple as that.

That does not appear to be the case. If, say, a Pakistani cricketer was required in Britain by the Metropolitan police in a similar investigation, I doubt if the ICC would be trying to ‘facilitate’ matters. In fact, I gravely doubt it.

[Officer Barbrady]

Originally Posted by MenInGreen Boje and Gibbs are WANTED for questioning in India - ( pls read Asifs comment )- simple as that.

Indeed, and SA believe they have dealt with the matter already. Thus the problem.

[MIG]

How have they dealt with the problem when they are wanted for questioning in India ?

[cavin420]

popcorns anyone ?

miggy bhai 2 - marooned 00

[Officer Barbrady]

Originally Posted by MenInGreen How have they dealt with the problem when they are wanted for questioning in India ?

The Cronje affair was based on activities in India. They had an investigation banned Cronje for life, banned Gibbs for 6 month and fined(?) Boje and perhaps one other player.

The SA Board feel the issue is closed.

[MIG]

No - the case isnt closed because.... Indian police want to question Boje and Gibbs - Its not upto the SA Board to "close" any case

Also, if you read Asifs comments, he is saying that if ICC can be bothered to spend money to get an ex police commissioner to head inquiry etc, then why are they trying to help these 2 avoid questioning in India ? Its called double standards.

[vortex619]

good article which seems to show some bias in the ICC...

[Officer Barbrady]

Originally Posted by MenInGreen No - the case isnt closed because.... Indian police want to question Boje and Gibbs - Its not upto the SA Board to "close" any case Also, if you read Asifs comments, he is saying that if ICC can be bothered to spend money to get an ex police commissioner to head inquiry etc, then why are they trying to help these 2 avoid questioning in India ? Its called double standards.

Because the ICC official inquiry also looked into this particular issue as did the South African board. Just like Pakistan had the Qayum report. It's done and dusted.

If there was a new case against these players then yes, it would make sense to have another round.

[Saj]

I was saying this even before Asif Iqbal was http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/sh...ighlight=Gibbs

A very good article though from Asif.

[MIG]

Originally Posted by Marooned Because the ICC official inquiry also looked into this particular issue as did the South African board. Just like Pakistan had the Qayum report. It's done and dusted. If there was a new case against these players then yes, it would make sense to have another round.

Still dont get it Marooned Mian - none of these Pak players are WANTED for questioning in the UK or India ? are they ?

Nothing is done and dusted - if there is a legal process in place in any country, it needs to be followed through. Inzi HAD to go back to Toronto to face up to charges, even though Pak board had "punished" and cleared him.

[Amjid Javed]

Ive said this before and i will again neither boje or gibbs should have been allowed to continue to play cricket after cronje scandal. If both players arent guilty why not go to india and prove it?

[cavin420]

[Edit by ModS: Sorry Cav - better posts pls ? - thx ]