LONDON: Mazhar Majeed, agent of the three Pakistan cricketers convicted over a conspiracy to bowl deliberate no-balls, pleaded guilty to his involvement in the betting scam on Wednesday.
Judge Jeremy Cooke, hearing the case at London's Southwark Crown Court, lifted reporting restrictions on publication of his guilty pleas.
Majeed now faces sentencing along with the three players under his wing who are also guilty of the charges.
He admitted conspiracy to cheat and to obtain and accept corrupt payments during a pre-trial hearing in September.
Former Test captain Salman Butt and bowler Mohammad Asif were found guilty by a jury on Tuesday.
Like Majeed, teenage swing bowler Mohammad Amir admitted the charges in September, but his guilty plea could not be reported during the trial of Butt and Asif.
In court today, prosecutor Aftab Jafferjee applied for a compensation order to repay the £150,000 ($240,000, 175,000 euros) that an undercover reporter from the now-defunct News of the World tabloid gave to Majeed.
The money, paid in cash, was handed over to the agent as part of an arrangement to rig cricket matches, including the no-balls delivered during the Test between Pakistan and England at Lord's in August 2010.
COMMENTS (27)
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he ruined lives of 3 good cricketers
@Sao Lao: NO its not.
I frankly see no reason for anybody, why not be him a Pakistani, to support these three or four in some cases. They have done something that's completely against ethics and the game of cricket itself. I hope this is a good lesson for the generations to come.
Pakistan High Commissioner in UK support these three, so he should also be induct. We say a minority of Pakistanis are corrupt who are bringing disgrace to the society. But I say its the majority is corrupt in Pakistan and some minority who are patriot to the country. Well, No mercy should be given to them and make sure those names are not in this case should be trialed as well.
NO MERCY!!!
In Afghanistan they would have been left one handed.
Where is the National Accountability Bureau. Sleeping maybe! The chairman BCCP and selectors at the time, as is well known in Pakistan, take bidding's for selection.
About time the board be removed and control given to the people and not the baboos
Amir should not be punished. It is openly known that he was coerced to do by the captain
@Hedgefunder: It seems your vacations are over and you have refueled yourself with hatred for Pakistanis in general. All those who are cheering here due to the fact these cheats are caught and getting punished are also true Pakistanis. You don't have to be sarcastic towards specific nationals nor have to portray everyone with the same color. There are many corrupt people all over the world whether its British MPs, French & Italian politicians or Indian ones .. greed sees no nationality.
And what's about mighty akmal brothers !
@Amir: Yes he may have been born in UK, and may have only visited Pakistan few times, but if you ever asked him in person, then rest assure he would have described himself as Pakistani first and British afterwards!!! We have too may of these types in UK !!! Trust me ! We see them daily, only differance with this one is that he managed to do some deals and make money first.
An hour before the father of Muhammad Asif was interviewed by Geo tv. He simply said " I am owner of 20 cows (milk-man who is normally known as Gawala in Urdu) and as such will not die from hunger and nor will my son". He was too much bitter about justice system of UK. He perhaps loves our justice system which is known to all has soft corner towards corruptions, terrorists etc etc so on an so forth.
@Hedgefunder: Mazhar Majeed visited Pakistan twice in his life , A Proper British Born Desi, who was a British through out his life till he was found involved in this scam, he is titled as a 'Pakistani' !
I wonder if our justice system could have been this efficient. Our everyday Talibans are been set free by our courts. Or the judges are running out of the country.
Please do not blame Pakistan for a few such corrupt guys. Such black sheeps are these in every society and nation. My Pakistan is otherwise full of honest and loyal people. And its due to these people that Pakistan still exists on the world's map.
Judge Cooke has shaken our famous Pakistani belief that we can get away with everything, anywhere.
Where are the Akmals hiding? They have made the whole nation cry on numerous occassions....
@Hedgefunder
So what if he is Pakistani too ??????????, are you trying to imply here that all Pakistanis are corrupt, if yes then please think again.
@AK: Yes mazhar is also another true Pakistani with British Passport and possibly dual Nationality!!!!
I noticed that they are all trying to blame each other now !!! Nice try, but no one is going to buy this !!!! I am sure that Mazhar will get an sentence in region of 3-5 years, bearing in mind that there are further cases of money laundering and tax evasion pending against him too. Butt and Asif are likely to get similar sentance due to their conviction after trial, Amir is likely to receive a lighter sentance due to early guilty plea and possibly due to his age and being a junior member of the team, but rest assure they are all going down for this !
This majeed guy is he also pakistani??!!
@Lahori: Because they still have some shame left , what would they do when all are consumed.? Loan from neighbor!
Players who brought shame for Pakistan should be banned lifetime to play cricket.
There names should be put on ECL.
These players should now try to find out some sort of jobs as office boys, the minimum wage of a office boy is Rs.7,000/- per month.
Thanks to salman, asif and amir. They unintentionally made themselves an excellent example for all players and wrong doers. Hope that the future of Pakistan Cricket is bright.
Pakistan zindabad. Ghairat zindabad.
What'a shame these players brough to themselves, thier families and to this country!