India TV claims prompt ICC match-fixing probe of umpire launch
'Urgent investigation' launched by governing body after allegations by an Indian TV station that six Asian umpires fixed matches for money
The International Cricket Council has launched an "urgent investigation" following allegations by an Indian television station that several umpires were willing to fix matches for money.
India TV on Monday broadcast footage of a sting operation, undertaken by undercover reporters in July, August and September, that purportedly exposes six international-level umpires from Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The ICC said none of the six officiated in any official matches at the World Twenty20, which finished on Sunday and was won by the West Indies.
"The ICC and its relevant members have been made aware of the allegations made by India TV this evening and calls on the station to turn over any information which can assist the ICC's urgent investigations into this matter," the ICC said.
"The ICC reiterates its zero-tolerance toward corruption whether alleged against players or officials."
India TV showed footage of Pakistan's Nadeem Ghauri, Nadir Shah of Bangladesh, part of the ICC international panel of umpires, and Sagara Gallage of Sri Lanka agreeing to give favourable decisions in exchange for umpiring contracts and money.
While Ghauri and Shah appeared to agree to give wrong decisions, Gallage was ready to pass on information about the toss, the pitch and weather conditions in a match before it was available to the public.
Shah flatly denied the allegations made against him. "This is a plot to malign my character. I was taken to Delhi by a Bangladeshi agent to sign a contract for umpiring in the Sri Lanka Premier League," he said.
"But when I saw these people are corrupt, I changed my decision and did not conduct any match in the SLPL. I was never involved in anything like fixing."
Another umpire was filmed in the sting - called "Operation World Cup" - promising to "revolt" against Sri Lankan cricket, and the fifth official was willing to ensure decisions would be given in favour of India. It is not clear what tournament or matches the two umpires were referring to.
The sixth umpire reportedly shared the pitch and toss reports as well as playing line-ups for the warm-up match between England and Australia on September 17 in exchange for 50,000 rupees (HK$7,420), according to India TV.
A seventh umpire, from Bangladesh, was approached but refused to co-operate. One of the umpires identified played one test match for Pakistan and has been officiated in five test matches.
Video clips of the interviews conducted by undercover reporters with umpires, mostly conducted over Skype voice and webcam calls, were still featured on India TV's website yesterday.
Prominent cricket website, ESPNCricinfo, reported that it was contacted in August by two of the umpires implicated in the India TV sting. Cricinfo reported the officials said they had the impression of being offered generous umpiring deals for an "upcoming" private tournament. The umpires said they were in discussions with a sports management company, and one of them said he suspected the bonafides of the company.
The latest allegations come almost a year after Pakistan players Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were jailed for their roles in a betting scam during a test series against England in 2010. Those allegations surfaced in a sting by a London a tabloid newspaper.
The trio were later convicted of conspiring with an agent, Mazhar Majeed, to ensure the delivery of deliberate no-balls.
Another Pakistani player, Danish Kaneria, was banned for life by the England and Wales Cricket Board in June for corruption in a fixing case in English county cricket.
