Sports Betting Inquiry – Pakistan Cricketers Charged

The sports betting inquiry into the allegations of “bringing the game into disrepute” took a new turn last night when the International Cricket Council suspended the three Pakistani cricketers at the centre of the scandal.  The Council charged the Pakistan captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif with “various offences” under its anti-corruption code.

The three will be interviewed today, under caution, by detectives from Scotland Yard on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers. This is the same charge as that faced by the agent, Mazhar Majeed, who was the subject of a “sting” by the News of the World which exposed the issue and instigated the whole inquiry.

An independent report emerged last night suggesting a link between money found in Salman Butt’s possessions and that handed to Mr Majeed by the Sunday newspaper. There was no information to suggest that the money had been marked or otherwise made traceable.

The three players have now been formally withdrawn from the tour. Sir Ronnie Flanagan and his team of anti-corruption investigators from the ICC have now arrived in London and will begin their investigations today.

The charges in this sports betting inquiry relate to the bowling of no balls and other irregular behaviour during the fourth international match at Lords last month.

Bookmakers like Betfair and PaddyPower, who take bets on the outcome of cricket matches are said to be taking a close interest in the outcome of the inquiry.

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