England demand apology from Pakistan chairman Butt

Controversy raged on even as Pakistan's cricketers finally flew home yesterday – with England demanding a "full and unreserved apology" from Ijaz Butt over his match-fixing allegations.
By The Newsroom
Published 24th Sep 2010, 10:37 BST
Updated 24th Sep 2010, 10:37 BST

The tourists were already on their plane from Heathrow this morning when the England and Wales Cricket Board and Professional Cricketers Association issued a joint statement on behalf of Andrew Strauss' team.

In it, they warned that if Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Butt does not apologise appropriately for alleging England players were involved in fixing last week's third NatWest Series match at the Brit Oval they will take legal action.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It was perhaps fitting that as Pakistan left for home, the main business of the day concerned further repercussions from the spot-fixing crises which began almost a month ago during the Lord's Test. Three Pakistani players were charged and suspended under the ICC's anti-corruption code over an alleged plot to bowl no-balls, and last weekend the world governing body said they were investigating "a certain scoring pattern" during the Oval match. It was against that backdrop that Butt claimed England had deliberately lost last Friday – in return for "enormous sums of money".

England made their outrage clear in a strongly-worded statement the next day, in which the suggestion of possible legal action was first made.

Yesterday's statement read: "The ECB and the PCA today confirmed that a pre-action letter has been sent on behalf of the England cricket team to Ijaz Butt, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, following his allegations that the England cricket team were involved in fixing the outcome of the third NatWest Series one-day international between England and Pakistan, played at the Brit Insurance Oval on September 17th, 2010.

"The letter seeks a full and unreserved apology.

"Mr Butt has been advised that if a satisfactory response is not received, legal proceedings will be commenced against him without further notice."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The accusation is one of many, but the only one against England, in a summer of controversy which finally ended when the hosts wrapped up the NatWest Series 3-2 with a 121-run victory.

Police investigations are ongoing into the allegations against Test captain Salman Butt and fast bowlers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif at Lord's.

A fourth player, Wahab Riaz, was interviewed before being unconditionally released by police.

Related topics:PakistanHeathrow