Thaindian News

London, Nov 6 (IANS) Paul Condon, the former chief of the world cricket body’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU), has proposed banning of teams whose players are found guilty of corruption as well as the country’s board.

Condon, who headed International Cricket Council (ICC) anti-corruption watchdog for 10 years, said the sport is at a “credibility crossroads” post the spot-fixing scandal involving Pakistan cricketers Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer and the world body needs to take strict measures to curb corruption.

“This (spot-fixing scandal) is a big wake-up call. Cricket is again at a credibility crossroads. I think a number of things have got to happen,” Sky Sports quoted Condon as saying.

“I think the ICC have got to renew their efforts and get tougher, I think it has got to be prepared to give the harshest sentences it can - not just to cricketers who are found guilty - but their boards as well.”

Cordon said ICC should ban teams and their boards if they are not doing enough to contain corruption.

“I think if a particular national board does not, or is not, doing enough to prevent corruption then I think they should also suffer consequences as well.

“The nuclear option is teams would have to be excluded from world cricket if they are not getting their act together.”

Butt, Asif and Aamer were jailed by a London court Thursday after being found guilty of spot-fixing during the series against England last year.

On their punishment, Cordon added: “They deserved the sentences they got. I have mixed reactions - sadness - but I am not surprised. They betrayed their country and millions of people around the world who love cricket.”