The three Pakistan cricket team members (Mohammad Amir, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif) and an agent who were accused of "spot-fixing" offences in the fourth Test against England at Lord's last August are to face corruption charges, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has said.
The players and their agent (Mazhar Majeed) will be charged with conspiracy to obtain and accept corrupt payments and also conspiracy to cheat. They have always denied the accusations of bowling deliberate no-balls during the match.
The International Cricket Council (ICC), which conducted its own investigation as the sport's governing body, is due to present its findings on today, but the three accused players have asked for the ICC tribunal's decision to be adjourned. They are arguing that any decision from the tribunal would prejudice their criminal case.
I personally think any and all results of the investigation should made public as quickly as possible as by delaying the outcome yet again, has a hugely detrimental affect on the entire reputation (such that it is) of the Pakistani team.
But I also wonder at the alacrity of pursuing a criminal charge against the trio. By all means if they have conspired criminally, let the full force of the law bear down, but why so swift here and yet hundreds of bent MPs are still not only avoiding any kind of prosecution but continue to milk the expenses' system without check.
Surely this is also of "public interest" too?
More at the BBC.
The players and their agent (Mazhar Majeed) will be charged with conspiracy to obtain and accept corrupt payments and also conspiracy to cheat. They have always denied the accusations of bowling deliberate no-balls during the match.
The International Cricket Council (ICC), which conducted its own investigation as the sport's governing body, is due to present its findings on today, but the three accused players have asked for the ICC tribunal's decision to be adjourned. They are arguing that any decision from the tribunal would prejudice their criminal case.
I personally think any and all results of the investigation should made public as quickly as possible as by delaying the outcome yet again, has a hugely detrimental affect on the entire reputation (such that it is) of the Pakistani team.
But I also wonder at the alacrity of pursuing a criminal charge against the trio. By all means if they have conspired criminally, let the full force of the law bear down, but why so swift here and yet hundreds of bent MPs are still not only avoiding any kind of prosecution but continue to milk the expenses' system without check.
Surely this is also of "public interest" too?
More at the BBC.
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