Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

'ICC have idea on who match-fixers are'

Last updated on: February 11, 2015 12:10 IST

'The players have been tremendous over the last couple of years in acknowledging their responsibility in fighting the sickness in the game'

Virat Kohli of India signs autographs

Virat Kohli of India signs autographs. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

The International Cricket Council had a ‘far better idea’ of the people involved in match-fixing and would do everything in their power to ensure the ‘sickness’ of corruption did not affect the World Cup, Chief Executive Dave Richardson said on Wednesday.

Beware! Match-fixing is criminalised in New Zealand

Illegal gamblers, match-fixers! ICC promises clean World Cup

The sport has been blighted by reports of match-fixing in recent years, though Richardson said the governing body's Anti Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) had been working with local authorities to ensure it did not influence the February 14-March 29 event in New Zealand and Australia.

"I think the preparations the anti-corruption unit have put into this tournament, far exceed previous tournaments," Richardson told a media conference in Christchurch, also attended by local organising committee head Therese Walsh and New Zealand Cricket Chief Executive David White.

"They have a far better idea who these people are that travel the world and try to influence players, umpires and curators to get some sort of benefit on the betting side."

Cricket fans

A young cricket fan in the crowd holds up a sign as he waits for the start of play. Photograph: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

The ACSU's head Ronnie Flanagan said last week that fans would be able to watch the tournament ‘with confidence’ it would be free of corruption.

Richardson, who said the ACSU had been working with law enforcement in both Australia and New Zealand for about three years, added that security around teams and officials would make it very hard for them to be approached by fixers.

"I think we are in the best place ever in terms of fixing," the former South Africa wicketkeeper added. "We have made it very difficult for them to approach players."

The ICC had also noticed a change in attitude from players over the last 12 months, Richardson added, with even innocuous contact being reported to the anti-corruption unit.

"The players have been tremendous over the last couple of years, indeed the last 12 months, in acknowledging their responsibility in fighting the sickness in the game," he said.

"They realise the threat does exist. The fight is against those corrupt guys who travel the world rather than the players."

Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.