![spot fixing trio handed prison sentences spot fixing trio handed prison sentences](https://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/287014-Untitledcopy-1320327737.jpg)
Butt, 27, looked aghast as he was handed a 30-month term at London's Southwark Crown Court, where he and fast bowler Mohammad Asif were found guilty Tuesday of fixing parts of the August 2010 Lord's Test match against England.
Asif, 28, was jailed for a year, while prodigious 19-year-old bowler Mohammad Amir, who pleaded guilty to involvement in the scam to pre-arrange no-balls for shadowy South Asian betting rings, was sentenced to six months.
Their corrupt British agent Mazhar Majeed, 36, who had also pleaded guilty but claimed Butt had approached him to arrange the scam, was given the longest sentence -- two years and eight months.
"These offences, regardless of pleas, are so serious that only a sentence of imprisonment will suffice," judge Jeremy Cooke told the four men, adding that they would each serve half their sentences and then be released on licence.
He said the players were motivated by greed despite the large amounts of money they could earn legitimately, and said he hoped the sentences would deter other cricketers and agents from following their "hugely detrimental" example.
The judge also condemned what they had done to the sport of cricket itself, "the very name of which used to be associated with fair dealing".
"It's the insidious effect of your actions on professional cricket and the followers of it which make the offences so serious," he told the packed courtroom.
Its "image and integrity" stands "damaged in the eyes of all, including the many youngsters who regarded three of you as heroes".
Despite their status, he said the players had "procured the bowling of three no-balls for money to the detriment of your national cricket team, with the object of enabling others to cheat at gambling".
Any surprising event in a cricket match will now be suspect to suspicion, he said.
"In Pakistan, where cricket is the national sport, the ordinary follower of the national team feels betrayed by your activities," he added, saying corruption had become the "common culture" in the Pakistan side.
"You, Butt, Asif and Amir have let down all your supporters and followers of the game."
The world of cricket has reacted with dismay to the worst fixing scandal since South Africa captain Hanse Cronje in 2000, but the head of the anti-corruption unit of the International Cricket Council, Ronnie Flanagan, denied that corruption was rampant in the sport.
"The vast, vast majority of cricketers are not only wonderfully talented, but wonderfully ethical people," he said.
The ICC has already banned Butt for 10 years with five suspended, Asif for seven years with two suspended, and Amir for five years straight after finding them guilty of corruption in February. They are all appealing the bans.
Cooke called Butt the "orchestrator" of fixing within the Pakistan team and said that given his "leadership status" and direct involvement with Majeed, he was "more culpable than either of your two bowlers".
At her simple two-roomed home outside Islamabad, Amir's mother Nasim Akhtar wept when she heard the sentence. "My son is innocent and he did the no-ball at the asking of the captain," she said.
His older brother Mohammad Ijaz said the family thought he would be released with a fine having pleaded guilty.
In the eastern city of Lahore, one of Butt's sisters, Khadija, said the punishment was "unfair" and "shocking", adding: "His crime is that he was at the wrong place at the wrong time."
Butt, whose wife gave birth Tuesday, intends to appeal, his lawyer said in London.
The scam was uncovered by the now-defunct News of the World, the Rupert Murdoch-owned tabloid shut down over a phone-hacking scandal in July.
But the judge said it was clear that Majeed, Butt and Amir had discussed fixing outside the NOTW sting, in which an undercover reporter paid Majeed £150,000 ($240,000, 175,000 euros) to lay on rigged events.
Butt was told to pay £30,937, Amir £9,389, Asif £8,120 towards the prosecution costs, money which is already in police hands. Majeed was ordered to pay £56,554 within six months.
Majeed collected his suitcase as he as was led from the dock, while Asif nodded to a friend in the public gallery before disappearing down to the cells.
The full text of the judgement can be read here.
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COMMENTS (119)
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The sentence for Amir is unfair. He was a young cricketer under the influence of others and from a country where corruption is not unknown. He had already had his livelihood taken from him, so what is the point of a prison sentence? It is obviously a deterrent, but then so was hanging for sheep stealing, but hardly just.
Hi, Yes they have done a mistakes and they deserve to be punished. But instead disowning them, we should treat them as one would a family member gone astray. I do not think this immorality represents pakistani people as whole, thatś impossible. But I think the noose of law should be tighter in Pakistan so that even attempting these illegalities becomes difficult. Their family have my prayers, I feel sad for them. I also hope the boys are repenting, and hence getting their sins forgiven by all- family, friends, God and themselves. I hope Pakistani people don feel too bad about it. These keep on happening to a country
There are people million times corrupt than these guys in the sub continent. It really is the way of life. Atleast pakistan establishment should have guarded them from jail time. Sorry for their families.
What the hell this judge was? the person who was the main culprit gets just 3 months more sentence? Does it make sense ? Totally Biased decision. I am NOT in favor of the 3 players but what s about those names coming during this trial. Why judge and ICC closed their blinded Eyes. What s about Australian and Indian players named by the main culprit Mazhar Majeed. To my views, judge has made his mind before the hearing about the decision and that why also influenced the the 10 members jury. Shame on the Judge as well.
atleast they will learn how to speak english while in prision.....
They should embrace Christianity, do some plastic surgery, change names and play for England against Pakistan.
Awesome....just awesome.... we should celebrate the day a good news come out of Pakistan.
Jail Term was unnecessary in my opinion. They have more than enough punishment by the ICC ban.
Tell me which sports doesn't involve gambling. they are cheats in every sport. take football for example where every player at a point fakes an injury. not that i am taking side of em but spot fixing isn't as big deal as match fixing.
@afsos: its sad to see our owb Pakistanis acting like jerks.
@Hedgefunder: You understand the hedging strategy very well and you know what is going on with Pakistan's image. Think interms of the hedging strategy. :P
Prison sentence is only for Pakistani players not for Goora players. Did Ajay Jadega, Azhar-uddin, Shane warne, Mark Waugh ever get prison for links to bookies and for playing gambling. NO!. So why these players got sentenced. Pointless case .
@EmbarassedPak: why not? after getting punishment for his crime he has every rights to live a normal life...may be with a better moral standard than of those who are condemning him today
i m veryyy upset...pls dont invove their families..its PCB's fault
Three cheers for the UK Courts.
After they are released from the Prison in UK, Justice Chaudhary shall take suo-moto notice and register cases of high treason against the trio.
They have not only cause great emotional stress to the nation, but also caused severe damage to our repute as a great cricketing nation in the world. Moreover, they have also shaken the confidence of hundreds of thousands of admirers.
@Hedgefunder: what about Indian hockey players who physically assaulted Pakistani players last week and actually broke four teeth of a Pakistani player?????????....that does NOT warrant jail term....that is not an attempt to kill...that is no disrepute....??????
to all Indians... who say jail terms are good....for these entrapped players....well what about azharuddin.. he is Member Parliament...rather than serving even one hour in jail..........!!!!!!!!
I am not saying that Amir or Asif were not at wrong….but….. Other nations try to save their nationals from being implicated outside their home countries even if they are criminals…take example of numerous indian spies and recent Raymond Davis case….I think Pakistan should have demanded their hand over and then should have gone ahead with trial…just like US said about Davis…similarly there is a thing called “Criminal Psychology”….If a crime is made very very easy by circumstances then even very simple people will commit it….in Asif Amir case though they did it but they were “trapped” into doing the crime by already closed/defunct “Newsof the world”.. alas our nation only awakens when something happens to themselves or their kin….others even if they are fellow countrymen….are of no importance to our selfish nation…..try to be one nation…and try to understand that it was a trap…a conspiracy…..just tell me all that happened was it real….??? no a drama…a sting operation…..I am amazed the lawyers and PCB did not bring up point of “easiness of crime due to conspiracy”………!!!! ….and I repeat once again that you should all try to research “crime psychology” then you will understand sting operations and their flimsy base……do you know quite a few scandals brewed by newsoftheworld actually landed the same newspaper in hot waters and eventually got it banned……
Last week an Indian player broke four teeth of Pakistani hockey player by hockey , unprovoked and trying to kill him....but he got no jail.... in cricket...bowling no balls can get you in jail...even if it is no physical offense....because in cricket it was Pakistan which was involved....in hockey "baharat mahan" was invloved so it was hush hush everywhere.....
Justice has been served, insult of whole nation and credit goes to incompetent PCB ===> Ijaz Butt Sb. ===> Government!
What a disgrace these cricketers have brought upon themselves and more so on their poor country whom they betrayed so badly.We should now expect that cheating of this kind and other shady acts in a gentlemen's of cricket will attract severe punishments on other lands too.In particular, let us hope that Indian bookies as well as its cheater cricketers who, in fact, are the master of art of 'fixing' get stung as well, and soon.Justice Cook has shown the way to nab such crooks and it is up to ICC to deliver honest game of cricket to its ardent spectators and clean its tarnished image now.
I would not have been disappointed on the decision if they had acted against all the alleged players...Why was Indian Suresh Raina left even when Sri Lanka Cricket Board gave application to ICC against him with video proves, the case was very much similar to Pakistani players even a Cricket board was involved in it instead of a Newspaper but what can we expect from ICC(Indian Cricket Council)...This injustice is painful...
It should have been atleast 5 years without parole for these three plus Ejaz Butt. They DO NOT deserve any sympathy.
it is not fair, they are pakistani only that is the reason that they are facing this circumstances, indian and austarlian players are also involved in spot fixing but icc never notice them
very good decision! they deserve it!
Why were Hasne Cronje, Gibbs and Nickyboy were not jailed. Cronje got the life time ban while the other two were banned for just 6 months. They deserved much more strict punishment. Same goes for Salim Malik, Azharduddin, Jadeja.
They deserved more punishmints.Thanks to UK judges,The judgment is a slape on the faces of pakistani fraudulent Mafia.
Time for the UK courts to go after the bankers and the hedgefund types who have sucked the people dry and the biggest matchfixers in the world
I am totally disappointed the way the sentences were handed out to the corrupt cricketers by the british judiciary. The sentences are very soft comparing with the bad name these cricketers have brought to their country and people who have given them love and respect besides huge money. They earned Pakistan set up the record of being the only country in the world whose cricketers were sentenced and jailed for match fixing in cricket. More regrettable is that the habitual offender, Mohammad Asif was not handed out lengthier jail term. Hope the ban imposed on them by the ICC will stay for good thereby eliminating them from the cricket world for a long time. The ICC should see that the PCB keep a strict watch on these convicted playeres not to get any assignment associated with the sport, such as commentary.
They should be banned for life from Pakistan cricket. Pakistan has no shortage of best players with good ethics & morals.
Wish ro see Kamran Akmal behind bars some day!
I appeal to the government of Pakistan to immediately revoke the citizenship three black sheeps of Pakistan cricket, who have dealt such a severe blow to the image and reputation of the country, that entire Pakistani nation is forced to hang its head with shame.
These cricketers should be treated like enemy traitors. Plus the comments of crown prosecuting service, about PCB and the confirmed relations of its very senior tour management officials with infamous match fixer Mazhar Majeed, must be investigated by a Supreme Court judge, to weed out black sheeps once for all from PCB as well.
In my opinion its a fit case for suo moto action by the superior judiciary, because the name of Pakistan has been very badly tarnished, by the former PCB officials, in connivance with match fixers and players.
No way, players can be involved in crimes of such magnitude in isolation and without the connivance of PCB tour management.
judge Jeremy Cooke,a PCO Judge,has played into the hands of Yahood,Hanood and Nasara.Another conspiracy against the Umma.Muslims were excellent swordsmen and conquered half of the world,but these treacherous creatures invented gunpowder,because they could not see the Muslims prosper.They took all the science from our holy books,and are using the same against us.They are conspiring to prevent Pakistan from becoming a super power.Let Imran Khan come,and with our coal reserves,we will have flag on LAL QILA,Spain will be again ours.Why this PCO Judge is not convicting Beatles,who composed music to spoil our youth?They did not loot Qaumi Dolat,but money of Jews,which is Halal.Zaid Hamid,Ali Azmat with Imran Khan,will start Ghazwa E Hind,and all these agents of RAW,MOSSAD,CIA,KGB,KARZAI and Zardari will become HAKKA-BAKKA.I salute these three Pakistan stars.
@Aslam, "the punishment is for breaking the law in UK, what about the punishment back home? if any?" This is the question a true Pakistani should be asking. For too long PCB, media and "patriotic Pakistanis" kept on defending their corrupt cricketers out of sheer hatred for the "kafir" countries, which only encouraged Pak cricketers to indulge in more and more unscrupulous activities with a total disregard for their country's pride or honor. Had if the Pak officials, media and most importantly the civil society acted more responsibly, the current national shame could have been, possibly, avoided. However, better late than never. I am saying this because in the comment section, for the first time, a vast majority of Pakistanis are denouncing their dishonest cricketers and not defending the indefensible.
Wrong place at wrong time. They asked for it and justice is done. I feel sorry for Amir who certainly fell prey to his seniors and the Captain. We all know the treatment which juniors get from the hands of our seniors. If one has to be part of the team then follow what they say (not all). They would have gone easily away had this all took place in our own country and its justice system ....... mostly of "Chamak and Influence".
Government of Pakistan should appeal to increase their terms. At least 7 years for the serial culprit Asif !!
I think Judge was a MOSSAD+RAW+CIA+GESTAPO+M-16 Agent out to descredit our innocent players who are as clean as Nestle Pure water!
Not enough to make an example out of them .. not only they got away lightly but also they'll be entitled to release after serving half their sentence.
Justice well served. Lesson learnt.
Its alright guys. Chill out !! Its PAKISTAN and its just another of our ACHIEVEMENTS from everyday business Obviously a zionist and my fav parvez samosa walaz's conspiracy
@Y Khan: You ignorant fool. All Judges have to follow guidelines when setting sentances, very little of it is down to their personal opinion. Please, show me one example of your wild claim.
They are lucky. Because only 2 and Half years punishment is nothing against to sale your country. Specially Amir 6 months and Asif 1 year. This is nothing against what they have done. And remember they will spend there in British Jail instead of Pakistani Jail. Enjoy
This is embarrassing as a Paistani. Had this verdict been announced by any Pakistani court, I would had been a happy man.
Its embrassing, PCB has not penalized them..yet.
good decision.. but one thing is bothering me...there shouldnt be two punishments for one crime, nai?...ICC's ban should b revoked after this sentence..
they deserved it. let us not think about what others are doing and why they are getting away with it. we need to keep OUR HOUSE IN ORDER. ofcourse it is painful to see them tarnish the image of our country, but the good part is, this will be a lesson to all those involved in cheating, be it games or politics.
also, please dont feel especially sad for Aamir, that he is young and foolish. He is NOT so young to be pardoned or given an undue favour. he is a grown up man, capable of differenciating between right and wrong and should be treated in the same way as others.
i hope and pray that others take a lesson from this.
This punishment is not strong enough for Butt and Mohammad Asif.
i don't think so it will stop in Pakistan . Everyone will become more careful now
I do not like cheaters and i hope that all such incidents are treated with the same zest and vigour applied to the Pakistani team, How ever i can say that they where singled out and made an example...
@pervaiz memon: clear your own house, stop worrying about your neighbors, worry about your own family members first, I do not care if Indians or if anybody else fixes matches, I only care about my Pakistan players and I am happy the corrupt have been caught and jailed. why is everyone so concerned about India now??
@ lucky: who are you to decide that they they should be hanged to death? Yes they got what they deserved, but why on earth should they be hanged or be given a harsher punishment that the one given. In case you haven't forgotten there are politicans and generals in our country who have committed murders and corruption and they continue to get away with it.
@Scorpio: No they did not commit murder, but sadly brought a game of cricket into disrupte by accepting money for creating scenarios on the field. To me that's criminal, as such one goes to prison for such things in UK, maybe not in Pakistan !!!
wahab riaz and kamran akmal should also not be spared.
What goes up, Must come down!!
this is not justified . UK should request USA to put these culprits to Guantanamo Bay and treat them like OSAMA BIN LADEN
I am very happy that the sentences have been passed. Good riddance to bad rubbish.
Although, I can't help but feel sad for Amir. Such brilliant talent gone to waste =(
A true picture of the whole nation ... poori quom needs "qaid ba mushaqqat" due to its "kartoots" !!!!!
How sad!! People are dying all around the world, Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc and all your bothered about is cricket!! No body has been killed it's just a game, get over it!!
They had it coming. Justice served. Anyone who tarnishes me motherland's name should have harsher sentences handed.
a harsh sentence for spot fixing. They did not physically hurt anyone. In the UK if you are a Muslim and appear before the judge you are generally given a sentence three times what a white man will get. Go look at the data!
they should get even bitter punishment, they have cheated the nation and the name of Pakistan. they should be arrested for 5 years and after that they should be hanged till death.
For how many years these fellows are doing this cricket business betraying the peoples trust. Now Pakistan Government should confiscate their properties which were bought with the unethical money.
@Cautious: You would have been surprised as to how cocky Butt was in the witness stand under cross examination from prosecution, that lawyers and barristers from other court rooms arrived in public gallery to watch the proceedings! I was there in the court that day. The shear arrogance of these two guys was almost unbelievable !!!!!
yes they did wrong but what about actual match fixing they are scape goats . will all cricket is clean after them . is Ipl is clean cricket . is WC final of india vs sri lanka was fair match , is shan warn tweet about England vs india tie in wc just accident their are lot of corruption in cricket which have strong backing and crime of these guys is that they did not know how do corruption and caught for just few hundred ponds . so hang them raise the slogan ” All is well ”
Justice has been done it's alwayz pakistani who indulge in criminal activities whether u take spot fixing of misbhaving our drug or steroid addicting.pakistani players least worry for there nation
Is it fair! After all thet didn't commit murder. What about Raymond Davis?
@Harish:
Indian trolls on the board.
It is a sad day for pakistanis and for the pakistan cricket. The humiliation and shame for the pakistani once again.this time in sports department. But the sentences like these can only help to eradicate the corruption from the genteel man's game. The upcoming players must learn now;also the PCB should take some solid steps to demolish the statue of corruption. The green caps should be taken back from the rotten stars. My perception for the upcoming games is; our boys having green cap on their head will perform honestly.
Ashamed only because they have brought such bad repute to Pakistan but glad these trio will end up behind bars for a crime that has directly hit the self esteem of any Pakistani especially those who are here in the UK, such acts leave little room for us to improve our country's image
rot in jails you.........................
If PCB is strong enough then send Kamran Akmal and other players named also to Jail...bcoz he will not stop this corruption
Congrats
This is a conspiracy against Islam by CIA, RAW, Mossad, Scotland Yard and everyone who oes not believe in Pakistan, Pakistani's and their lies.
why only 2.5 years for Butt and 1 for Asif??, PCB should ban them for life and also that Kamran Akmal who was very, very lucky, Hope he never plays again.
I suspect they were astonished when their attorneys informed them that based on the evidence against them that they would be found guilty and sent to jail. In their next life they will confine there cheating inside Pakistan.
Excellent Decision ..... the punishment I think should be more harsh .....
This is only da jail sentence .. the ban of 5 , 7 n 10 yrs on their cricket from ICC will remain same
This is what you get when you throw away your country's name for money.....pathetic
@AliUsmani: Oh yes ! He will return to Pakistan as a deported criminal. As for his chances of playing, well ICC really ought to ban these guys for life after these convictions. Shame that the Land of Pure is again in Global News for all the wrong reasons !!!!!! Time the people of Pakistan wake up and look at their society from inside, rather than blaming others for their sins. Its obivious that that the leaders of the Nation are simply incapable of doing anything to enhance their society.
Its a RAW CIA MOSSAD conspiracy to humiliate Pakistan. Ya Allah Khair.
To Head quaters, So our Zionist hinduism raw CIA KFC mcdonald's propaganda has succeeded. we have been been succeful in making people love quadri. and hate their own players. we have made pakistani so eotinaly unstable that they spent $ 2 milin defence for "quom ki beti" however ran awy when it came to fighting for "quom ke bete". end of transmission...
The crooks disgraced the nation!!!! should have been given a harsher punishment. Under a politically planted chairman, they got encouraged to do what the politicians do without having been ever proved & caught. But they forgot, with cricket throb the hearts of millions. Its a God's vengeance on you for betraying the trust of nation.
Good decision by the court. But i think Mazher Majeed should have got 7 years prison. Since he was the main culprit. Now these players should also be charged guilty in Pakistan Courts.
the punishment is for breaking the law in UK, what about the punishment back home? if any? or may be they can join PPP or PTI. off-course imran khan need these youngesters in his election campaign.
@AliUsmani: No he wont be back. He got banned for 2 or 3 years. =l
Dr. Rehman Malik is going to break them out. Watch the events unfold in all new season 8 of... Prison Break!
Good decision, atleast justice is done to the game. Its really shameful that corruption is eating every thing in Pakistan...
Salman Butt deserves more than this
Serves them right. This episode should hopefully deter other players from indulging in illegal activities and bringing dishonor to the nation. Justice has been served!
@AliUsmani:
a bit hard to get visas with a conviction to your name. He will probably be banned from England for life as well.
Should we include him again in the team?
well deserved!
In the first instance,should gone through the record available and thereafter circumstances,then should pass the conviction and sentence as have seen there is difference in opinion among the jury members. God know better presiding judge has done justice injustice.
apparently there was no hard evidence against Asif
Well.....we should start learning from our mistakes now...it is already enough that has been done to the image of our nation...
I feel that these players should have far more stricter sentence, this would not serve as as a deterant to the guilty players.
Sets an example for others but a sad day for Pakistanis
Punishment was the destiny of those four fixers.
Sad. Sad. Very sad indeed. This is so harsh and so final for these three brilliant Pak cricketers that it is heart rending. Sometimes I wonder if it is deserved. But then, how do you set an example ????? How do you set a deterent ???? Still, for me a very sad day to know these guys have been destroyed.
justice done, they need to be hanged in public in pakistan.
Good
hahaha, They went for appeal , and sentenced
Thats all folks, lets stick to some other gluing issue :-)
yes, this is UK, not Pakistan where you can get away from the Law!! Thanks to UK Courts for this brilliant decesion and teaching the world and Pakistanis that no one is above the law.
Just as per my comment yesterday in related article, that these guys are going down for this, don't be under any illusion that they will walk out of this court room. Sadly they all will be residing in HMP Brixton tonight !!! Hope it was worth it , for them to bring the game into disrupte!!!!!!!!!
:-(............. only for Amir.
It should've been 20 years instead. They've disgraced the whole nation.
They asked for it and they deserve the punishment!!!!