Spot Fixing: Three Players And Agent Jailed

Spot Fixing: Three Players And Agent Jailed

Salman Butt was handed a jail sentence of 30 months for his part in the spot fixing plot

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The four men at the centre of the spot fixing trial have been sentenced to prison sentences ranging from six months to two years and eight months.

Agent Mazhar Majeed was handed the longest sentence of two years and eight months, former captain Salman Butt was given a sentence of 30 months, Mohammad Asif one year and Mohammad Amir six months.

Amir and Majeed both pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to cheat and conspiracy to accept corrupt payments before a trial by jury convicted Butt and Asif of both charges.

During sentencing, Mr Justice Cooke explained that he deemed Majeed and Butt to be the key men in the spot fixing plot and handed Butt the longest sentence of the cricketers due to his position as captain of the team and blamed him for 'corrupting' Amir.

Amir was given the lightest sentence after the judge took into account his age, upbringing and the fact that he had shown 'courage' in pleading guilty to the charges and while his three compatriots were taken to Wandsworth prison, he was instead taken to Feltham Young Offenders Institute.

The players were also ordered to pay compensation towards the prosecution of £30,937 (Butt), £9,389 (Amir) and £8,120 (Asif).

The judge went on to say that the four men may be released on license having served 50 percent of their sentences if their behaviour is good.

The News Of The World published allegations in August 2010 that the two fast bowlers and captain Butt had conspired to deliver no balls at pre-arranged moments in the Lord's Test against England for financial gain.

Following the allegations, the ICC suspended the three players accused of being involved in the spot-fixing plot - 28-year-old Asif, 27-year-old Butt and 19-year-old Amir.

Subsequently, an ICC anti-corruption tribunal held in January ended without a verdict being reached prior to the bans finally being given to the players on 5th February.

While fast bowler Amir was handed a straight five-year ban, erstwhile captain Butt was handed an additional five-year suspended sentence for his part in the scheme to bowl no balls to order. Asif was banned for seven years with two years suspended.

The players planned to appeal the ICC ban but were following legal advice to wait until the trial in the UK was completed.

© Cricket World 2011