Cricket South Africa charges intermediary for corruption in Ram Slam T20

Johannesburg, Dec 16: Cricket South Africa (CSA) has charged an unnamed "intermediary" under its anti-corruption code for contriving to fix or improperly influence the just-concluded Ram Slam Twenty20 Challenge Series.

The intermediary has also been charged with failing or refusing, without compelling justification, to co-operate with an investigation carried out by CSA's Designated Anti-Corruption Official.

The intermediary, who has been provisionally suspended under Article 4.7.1 of the Code, will now be required to respond to the charges via CSA's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit.

A statement released by CSA said the provisional suspension means the intermediary may not be involved in any capacity in any match or any other kind of function, event or activity (other than authorised anti-corruption education or rehabilitation programmes) that is authorised, organised, sanctioned, recognised or supported in any way by CSA, the ICC, a National Cricket Federation or any member of a National Cricket Federation.

CSA, as is the case with all the other international cricket Boards, is a signatory to the "Keep Cricket Clean" vision of the ICC which envisages the provision of a coordinated and effective world-wide capability to protect all cricket played under its auspices.

"Our attitude to corruption will always be one of zero tolerance and we are confident that we have the necessary structures in place to effectively deal with any corrupt activity," said CSA Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat.

"We will relentlessly pursue under our Code and the law of the land any persons we believe to be involved in corrupting the game and, with assistance from the Police, we will also seek criminal prosecution," added Lorgat.

The statement said in line with the standard practice, neither CSA nor the ICC will make any further comment in respect of ongoing investigations.

The Ram Slam tournament was one of the most popular and lucrative domestic series, with a number of international players joining provincial franchises. Commentators said the series had attracted the attention of international match-fixers because it was televised live across the globe.

PTI