ICC's ACU Chief appears before the tribunal as a witness in the ongoing spot-fixing investigation

[MenInG]

In a major development to the spot-fixing case, the head of International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption and Safety Unit (ACSU) Sir Ronie Flanagan will appear before the tribunal as a witness in the ongoing investigation.

The appearance of global body’s unit is significant in the case and proves ICC’s involvement in the case and the fact that ICC had given the lead up in the Pakistan Super League case.

“Sir Flanagan will appear as PCB’s witness in the ongoing investigation and that will be the most serious thing in the case,” said a source in the PCB.

Sources said Flanagan’s statement will be crucial in the proceedings as his presence will put a lot of weight and he is also due to tell the tribunal about how the ICC sleuths were in the knowledge of some bookies in contact with pakistan players since the tour of England followed by the tour to Australia.

Flanagan had replaced another former senior British policeman Lord Paul Condon, in May 2010.

Flanagan was then Chief Inspector of Constabulary for England, Wales and Northern Ireland and was previously the head of the police force in Northern Ireland from 1996 until 2002.

ICC had been using a delicate software which informs them of bookies contact with any international players as the phones record of every player is with the global body these days.

https://arysports.tv/icc-anti-corruption-chief-appear-tribunal/

 

[Savak]

I would like to see how the likes of Sharjeel and Khalid talk themselves out of this now.

 

[Markhor]

Flanagan's testimony hopefully should bring definitive evidence that helps resolve this case once and for all.

 

[waqar goraya]

ICC ACU Chairman Ronnie Flanagan appears before Tribunal, meets Chairman PCB and Chairman Executive Committee

Lahore May 18, 2017:Chairman ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit Mr. Ronnie Flanagan today appeared before the Anti-Corruption Tribunal that is currently adjudicating Sharjeel Khan’s PSL spot fixing case, Mr. Flanagan also met Chairman PCB Mr. Shaharyar Khan and Chairman Executive Committee Mr. Najam Sethi in their offices today.

Mr. Flanagan spoke to the media after his appearance at the Anti-Corruption Tribunal, in his statement to the media Mr. Flanagan applauded PCB’s strong stance against corrupt practices in the game.

“It is a privilege as Chairman ICC ACU to assist in a small way since it is purely a matter of the PCB management and the Security Department. We are only trying to assist in the process; I must say that the Tribunal proceedings are taking place in a very professional way. As Chairman ICC ACU I work very closely with domestic anti-corruption units around the world and I must add that the PCB, Anti-Corruption and Vigilance Unit have shown great determination in their fight against corruption. It would be inappropriate to discuss exact evidence at this stage, the inquiry was absolutely led by the PCB, at a certain stage we reached intelligence from the British Crime Agency, we simply passed that information to the PCB Vigilance and Security Department and they already had the same intelligence, it was, if you like a corroboration of what they already knew and what they were already engaged in. The intelligence was shared before the start of the PSL (2017 edition).”

Meanwhile, Mr. Shaharyar Khan and Mr. Najam Sethi thanked Mr. Flanagan for assisting the PCB Anti-Corruption and Vigilance Department in the ongoing Spot-Fixing hearing and reiterated PCB’s zero-tolerance stance towards corruption. The Chairman and Chairman Executive Committee added that the PCB will continue its fight against corrupt elements to protect the game, there is a strong case against the accused players and the PCB remains determined to bring the case to its logical end besides punishing errant players who have sullied the game with their selfish acts and greed.

 

[Abdullah719]

British agency's tip-off helped uncover Pakistan Super League scandal: ICC

Britain's National Crime Agency provided the initial intelligence that helped uncover a major spot-fixing scandal in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), a leading official from world cricket's governing body said on Thursday.

Sir Ronnie Flanagan, head of the International Cricket Council's anti-corruption and safety unit (ACSU) was speaking to reporters in Lahore after testifying in a case against opening batsman Sharjeel Khan, who has been provisionally suspended by his board since the scandal erupted in February.

Fast bowler Mohammad Irfan and spinner Mohammad Nawaz have already been banned for six months with six suspended, and one month with one suspended, respectively after confessing to failing to report offers to fix matches.

Sharjeel was charged for failing to report an offer to fix and for playing two 'dot balls' in exchange for money.

Latif, whose proceedings will begin later, was charged for luring others to spot fixing.

Opening batsmen Khalid Latif, Shahzaib Hasan and Nasir Jamshed, who did not feature in the tournament, have been charged with more serious offences and face bans ranging from five years to life, if found guilty.

Flanagan, head of the ACSU since 2010, said: “The inquiry was absolutely led by the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) throughout and our role was simply that before the PSL match we received intelligence that was passed to us by the British National Crime Agency.”

Flanagan added: “As chairman of the ICC's ACSU and I work very closely with the domestic anti-corruption units across the world, whatever is the outcome of this case, I would say that the PCB and its unit in this entire process have demonstrated a great determination to keep cricket clean.”

Sharjeel's lawyer said Islamabad United coach Dean Jones, former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf and former Pakistan opener Sadiq Mohammad will appear as witnesses for his defence next week.

The ICC formed the ACSU in 2001 following life bans on South African captain Hansie Cronje, Pakistan's Salim Malik and India's Mohammad Azharuddin after fixing inquiries by their respective countries.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1333936/b...ped-uncover-pakistan-super-league-scandal-icc

 

[Markhor]

What do the British National Crime Agency know ?! According to our resident PP investigators - Sethi cooked up the entire conspiracy.

 

[zyrus]

Why don't they 'speak up' against IPL?

 

[zyrus]

“It is a privilege as Chairman ICC ACU to assist in a small way since it is purely a matter of the PCB management and the Security Department. We are only trying to assist in the process;

More like they're only trying to get rid of remaining modern Pakistani corp.

 

[Hamza_]

Interesting comments by Sharjeel's lawyer about his testimony today.

 

[Sherlock]

Interesting comments by Sharjeel's lawyer about his testimony today.

What were the main points he made?

 

[Hamza_]

What were the main points he made?

PCB's point or case was not made any stronger by ICC ACU Chief's statement, There are contradictions in the witness statements presented by PCB, Whatever ICC's Chief mentioned in his statement was stated to him by PCB ACU Guy.

-They will present their witness from 24th May which will be Sadiq Mohammad, Mohammad Yousaf and Dean Jones as cricketing experts who will explain technically that those dot balls were not played intentionally.
-After cross examining PCB's witnesses he feels tribunal is getting to know about the truth.

 

[Hamza_]

I think due to Voice Messages, Khalid Latif and Nasir Jamshed are gone.

In voice messages KL clearly says that he will show the other bat as well to Yousaf/Foreigner. So I think Sharjeel is gone as well.

 

[KyoOne]

I think due to Voice Messages, Khalid Latif and Nasir Jamshed are gone.

In voice messages KL clearly says that he will show the other bat as well to Yousaf/Foreigner. So I think Sharjeel is gone as well.

If KL says he'll show "other bat" to Yousaf, this clearly means Sharjeel did not have prior contact to bookies as alleged by some posters. And this alone does not in any way mean Sharjeel is guilty of accepting corrupt payments or of adhering to it.

If money was found in Sharjeel's possession (part of such payments are done in advance - except if you are M Asif), he would get some kind of ban/suspension for sure. If he actually did act upon them, he should be goner for at least 2-5 years.

I hope PCB does not ban him, or anyone, for life. 20 years or whatever, but not life. It makes the individual hopeless, can lead to criminal activities, etc.

 

[Sherlock]

PCB's point or case was not made any stronger by ICC ACU Chief's statement, There are contradictions in the witness statements presented by PCB, Whatever ICC's Chief mentioned in his statement was stated to him by PCB ACU Guy.

-They will present their witness from 24th May which will be Sadiq Mohammad, Mohammad Yousaf and Dean Jones as cricketing experts who will explain technically that those dot balls were not played intentionally.
-After cross examining PCB's witnesses he feels tribunal is getting to know about the truth.

Thanks. I wouldn't put it pass Sharjeel's lawyer just doing his job and sounding positive.

Nothing will be clear for a few weeks, at most.

 

[Indiafan]

More like they're only trying to get rid of remaining modern Pakistani corp.

Do people really believe such things? Why?

 

[Hamza_]

Thanks. I wouldn't put it pass Sharjeel's lawyer just doing his job and sounding positive.

Nothing will be clear for a few weeks, at most.

Yes, I think he will be banned for 5-8 years

 

[sadida97]

Yes, I think he will be banned for 5-8 years

pff, he will be cleared inshallah

 

[Hamza_]

pff, he will be cleared inshallah

He did make that deal it seems.

 

[Mamoon]

A 21-gun salute for everyone who was calling it a conspiracy and blaming it on Najam Sethi.

 

[Sherlock]

Yes, I think he will be banned for 5-8 years

I don't think it'll be that severe, tbh. If he is banned it won't be the maximum. I got a feeling it'll be 12-18 months at most.

 

[Hamza_]

I don't think it'll be that severe, tbh. If he is banned it won't be the maximum. I got a feeling it'll be 12-18 months at most.

This may have been if he had accepted the charges in first place and had truth in interview that was organized.

 

[Sherlock]

This may have been if he had accepted the charges in first place and had truth in interview that was organized.

Accepting the charges doesn't necessarily mean he would've [could] got a lighter sentence.

 

[Abdul]

Chairman ICC Anti-Corruption Unit, Sir Ronnie Flanagan visit to NCA and GSL (pics via PCB)