ECB chief repeats threat

By P. Subramanyam

LONDON, JUNE 17. England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief, Lord MacLaurin reiterated that anybody found involved with the match- fixing scandal would be removed from the game for good. MacLaurin has again repeated his threat to suspend players who fail to co- operate with the corruption inquiries.

He said, ``We've said all along that if any player refuses to co- operate, then they will be suspended. Alec has always said that he is happy to talk to Condon and I'm sure he will''.

Hereabouts, England is prepared to appoint a full-time security manager to travel with the team to monitor and to prevent attempts to lure the players into match-fixing. This move is likely to be followed by THE other cricket playing nations and it is expected to be approved at the next ICC meeting. MacLaurin who has given his whole-hearted support to this plan said, ``This will be an important step forward in the fight against corruption''.

Botham's fear

Former England captain Ian Botham, now a TV expert commentator, has claimed that someone within the game could be killed unless match-fixing is totally stamped out. Botham believes that players caught in the scandal are afraid ``to blow the whistle'' on those responsible for offering them money to under-perform, for fear of violent reprisals. His comments or threats are in line with Condon's, who had earlier acknowledged a link between cricket corruption and serious criminal offences, with allegations of murder, kidnapping and drug use.

Upon this open threat by Botham, ECB's chief executive, Tim Lamb said, ``I would advise anybody who knows anything to get in touch with Lord Condon,'' and added, ``there is no point in players and the officials talking to newspapers and magazines about these things. If they don't go to the proper channels that isn't helpful.''

All those involved with the rights of the game want action to be taken as soon as possible against those who bring the game into disrepute, but ACU and the authorities need evidence to proceed and that can be done or achieved only through information furnished.

``Because of the defamatory laws in this country, it is not possible to produce a report full of names, because then you leave yourself open to libel, unlike the CBI document in India, which has different laws,'' Lamb concluded.

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Section  : Sport
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