The ICC and SACA have welcomed CSA’s decision to ban four players in the anti-corruption investigation.
The investigation, led by CSA under the independent stewardship of former Constitutional Court Judge Bernard Ngoepe, and supported throughout by the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit, reinforces the ICC’s zero tolerance stance against corruption at every level.
ICC CEO David Richardson said: ‘I would like to commend my colleagues at CSA for conducting such a thorough investigation and for working in partnership with the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit. Shared intelligence and cooperation is vital if we are to continue to drive corruption out of our sport. What is particularly satisfying to note is that it appears that any intended wrongdoing was disrupted before it happened, meaning the domestic games in question went ahead without any act of corruption being committed.
‘The sanctions are rightly strong and, I hope, will act as a deterrent to anyone thinking about getting involved in criminal activity of this nature whether at international or domestic level. Both the intermediary and four of the players have accepted the sanctions and contributed significantly to the investigation. Under the ICC’s regulatory framework, these bans will be extended to prohibit these individuals from competing at international level or in any other domestic league anywhere in the world.
The South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) weighed in with their own response.
‘It will always be a sad day for the sport when players are found to have been involved in corruption’, said SACA chief executive Tony Irish. ‘It’s important that where players are found to be guilty under the anti-corruption code that they are then appropriately punished and that the message goes out that cricket will not tolerate any form of corruption.
‘Despite the shadow this casts over the game I think it’s also important to emphasise a few positives in all this. South African cricket has shown that it has measures in place to detect and uncover corruption, properly investigate it and then follow through with prosecution against those who are guilty. Players are properly educated, there is a highly competent anti-corruption unit and there’s a zero tolerance towards corruption.’
‘Corruption is however a worldwide issue in cricket and needs to be fought everywhere and at every level. I commend those players who came forward to report and to assist with this investigation.’
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