Al Jazeera’s latest documentary has claimed that up to 15 international matches in the 2011-12 period had been subject to spot-fixing
ESPNcricinfo staff21-Oct-2018The ICC has appealed to Al Jazeera to share evidence with it, after the broadcaster released its second documentary on alleged corruption in cricket. The documentary has claimed that up to 15 international matches in the 2011-12 period had been subject to spot-fixing.Al Jazeera has claimed to have obtained recordings of a person identified as Aneel Munawar – who is said to work for the crime syndicate D Company – revealing details of fixed matches to an Indian bookmaker. Munawar was also at the centre of Al Jazeera’s previous documentary on corruption in cricket, which alleged that the Chennai Test in December 2016 and the Ranchi Test in March 2017 had been subject to spot-fixing by England and Australia players.In response to those claims, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Australia (CA) had said there was no credible evidence linking any of their players to corruption.The ICC had then asked Al Jazeera for its cooperation in investigating these allegations, including sharing “un-edited and unseen evidence” – which it later said the broadcaster had refused to hand over. It had also sent out a public appeal to help identify Munawar.The ICC has now made another appeal to Al Jazeera.”The ICC is committed to working to uphold integrity in cricket,” Alex Marshall, the general manager of the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit, said in a statement. “As you would expect we will again take the contents of the programme and any allegations it may make seriously and will investigate fully.”However, I must refute the assertion that cricket does not take the issue of corruption seriously, we have more resources than ever before working to rid our sport of corruption.”The investigation into these allegations has already commenced and will run alongside a number of other live unrelated investigations. When considering the claims, we will work with professional independent betting analysts.”As with the first programme we have, and will continue to ask for the cooperation of the broadcaster. We have made repeated efforts to engage with the broadcaster as it can play such a crucial part in the full and thorough investigation it has called for.”We do welcome the commitment from the broadcaster to share the files with Interpol and, I hope, other law enforcement agencies who can act upon the information and support us in ridding the sport of these criminals.”Of the 15 matches Al Jazeera claimed were subject to spot-fix attempts in the 2011-12 period, seven involved England, five Australia, and three Pakistan. Among the matches mentioned were all three Tests of Pakistan’s series against England in the UAE in January-February 2012.The ECB called Al Jazeera’s information “poorly prepared”, but said it had looked into the allegations and found no evidence against any England player.”ECB takes its responsibilities on anti-corruption and preserving the integrity of cricket very seriously,” an ECB spokesperson said. “Whilst the limited information we have been given by Al Jazeera is poorly prepared and lacks clarity and corroboration it has been properly assessed.”Analysis of this by the ECB Integrity Team has cast no doubt on the integrity or behaviour of any England player, current or former.”The materials we have been given have been referred to the ICC’s Anti-Corruption unit and we will continue to work with them, as is the correct procedure for protecting the game. We are also working closely with the PCA (Professional Cricketers’ Association) and keeping them informed.”On Monday, a day after the release of the documentary, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued a statement* responding to the allegations, terming them “unsubstantiated”.”The PCB is committed to its fight against corruption in cricket. It has and continues to cooperate, assist and coordinate with the ICC’s Anti Corruption Unit in respect of investigations related to international cricket.”The recent allegations of corruption emanating from a documentary released by a broadcaster are under review jointly by ICC and PCB’s Anti Corruption Units. The broadcaster has not been forthcoming with provision of any evidence whatsoever in the absence of which their allegations remain unsubstantiated.”PCB in the recent past has been proactive in uprooting the menace of corruption and has charged and banned numerous cricketers for failing to abide by the Anti Corruption Code. It stands by that resolve.”CA, meanwhile, had been aware of Al Jazeera’s plans to release a second documentary, and of the Australia matches mentioned in it. James Sutherland, CA’s then chief executive, had said a CA integrity unit investigation had been conducted into the claims.”Although not having been provided an opportunity to review any raw audio or footage, our long-standing position on these matters is that credible claims should be treated very seriously, and investigated,” Sutherland said in late August. “Cricket Australia’s Integrity Unit have conducted a review of the latest claims by Al Jazeera, from a known criminal source, and, from the limited information provided by Al Jazeera, our team have not identified any issues of corruption relating to current or former Australian players.”We have handed all material over to the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit to enable them to fully investigate and we will continue to cooperate with the ICC.”There was one game involving New Zealand among the 15 named by Al Jazeera and NZC also requested the broadcaster to share information. “New Zealand Cricket takes anti-corruption extremely seriously and has no wish to undermine its integrity by commenting on unsubstantiated allegations,” said NZC public affairs manager Richard Boock. “We would, however, join the ICC and Cricket Australia in urging Al Jazeera to make all information relating to the allegations available, in the interests of natural justice and good journalism.”*October 22, GMT 1450 The story has been updated to include the PCB’s response