Al Jazeera releases documentary, claims evidence of spot-fixing in cricket
Al Jazeera released another documentary, on Sunday, alleging incidents of spot-fixing in at least 15 international matches (6 ODIs, 6 Tests and 3 T20Is) from 2011 to 2012. As per the exclusive report, Aneel Munawar, a person working for crime syndicate D-Company (run by Dawood Ibrahim), has been corrupting matches since 2010. Members of the Australian and English teams are said to be involved.
Which are the matches in question?
The first documentary talked about fixing in three Tests- India vs Australia at Ranchi (2017), India vs England at Chennai (2016), India vs Sri Lanka at Galle (2017). The second one claims fifteen matches were spot-fixed. Further, Australians were involved in seven matches, whereas, Englishmen had involvement in five matches. Notably, three spot-fixed T20Is were a part of World T20 tournament in Sri Lanka.
What have the English and Australian cricket boards said?
Both Cricket Australia as well as England and Wales Cricket Board have said that they have found no evidence, which can clearly point out any player, in their national teams, to be involved in match-fixing. ECB has said that after discussion with the players, they "emphatically deny the allegations, have stated categorically that the claims are false and they (players) have our full support."
Al Jazeera refuses to hand over raw footage to ICC
When the first documentary had released, ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit head Alex Marshall had said that ICC was in dialogue with Al Jazeera but it had refused to hand over their footage to the ICC. ECB's Chief Executive Officer, Harrison, had also remarked, "We, like other member Boards, are disappointed that Al Jazeera have not been more co-operative and responsible when making such serious allegations."
Al Jazeera believes certain ICC officials are involved
Al Jazeera has refused to hand over the raw footage to the ICC because it believes, according to Munawar's statements, that certain members of ICC's Anti-Corruption body were also involved in these illegal dealings and have connections with bookmakers and members of Indian crime syndicates.
