An Al Jazeera documentary claimed 15 int'l cricket matches in '11 and '12 were the subject of 26 spot-fixing scams, with "a small group" of England players "alleged to have been involved on seven occasions," according to Ali Martin of the London GUARDIAN. Cricket’s Match-Fixers: The Munawar Files is the follow-up to the Qatar-based news network’s previous program in May. It "looks into the movements of Aneel Munawar, an alleged operative" for Indian crime syndicate D-Company "who was recently the subject of a public appeal" by the ICC's anti-corruption unit. The film "details the alleged spot-fixing arrangements" supported by recorded telephone conversations in which Munawar "allegedly outlines the agreed details to a bookmaker in India." Of the 15 matches listed by the documentary makers, England players "are alleged to have batted to order in seven, with Australia doing so in five and Pakistan three." A game between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe "completes the list." Al Jazeera’s investigations team "claim that in some of the matches both teams appear to have been delivering a fix." They "also state that only one of the 26 scoring patterns allegedly predicted by Munawar did not come to pass" and then "by only one run." Al Jazeera’s video includes an "alleged phone conversation between Munawar and what is claimed to be an England player," unnamed, in which the former "offers congratulations" for the '10-11 Ashes win before "confirming an impending payment for supposed future spot-fixing arrangements" (GUARDIAN, 10/21).
ECB ISSUES DENIAL: In London, Elizabeth Ammon reported the England & Wales Cricket Board denied the accusations of match-fixing by "any present or former England players." 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." ICC Anti-Corruption Unit GM Alex Marshall said, "The investigation into these allegations has already commenced and will run alongside a number of other live unrelated investigations" (LONDON TIMES, 10/22). STUFF reported New Zealand Cricket rejected the "unsubstantiated allegations" and "urged the network to come forward with any information it has." New Zealand's "shock test win" over Australia in '11 -- its "first across the Tasman in 26 years" -- is one of 15 int'l matches "where the network claims to have tapes of people involved in fixing." NZC "joined its Australian and England counterparts in refusing to comment on allegations" until the network provided its information to the ICC. NZC Manager of Public Affairs Richard Boock said, "NZC takes anti-corruption extremely seriously and has no wish to undermine its integrity by commenting on unsubstantiated allegations" (STUFF, 10/22). In Sydney, Peter Lalor reported the Australian Cricketers' Association slammed Al Jazeera as cricket authorities "called on the network to release evidence if it has any." ACA CEO Alistair Nicholson said, "Enough is enough when it comes to unsupported accusations which unfairly tarnish players’ reputations. Players are sick and tired of being subject to accusations, without the proper evidence to substantiate it." Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland "was also cynical about the network, which has refused repeated requests to hand over evidence." Sutherland: "Prior to the broadcast of Al Jazeera’s documentary, Cricket Australia’s Integrity Unit 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 by any current or former player, including in relation to Big Bash League matches" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 10/22).
