Disgraced Butt admits to fixing, apologises to nation

Published June 28, 2013
Salman Butt, banned for 10 years by the International Cricket Council, gestures during a news conference in Lahore on Friday, June 28, 2013. – AP Photo
Salman Butt, banned for 10 years by the International Cricket Council, gestures during a news conference in Lahore on Friday, June 28, 2013. – AP Photo
Salman Butt offers evening prayers after a news conference in Lahore on Friday, June 28, 2013. – AP Photo
Salman Butt offers evening prayers after a news conference in Lahore on Friday, June 28, 2013. – AP Photo

LAHORE: Former Pakistan cricket captain Salman Butt has for the first time publicly admitted to and apologised for spot-fixing, two years after he was found guilty of the offence.

Butt, along with fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, was banned from the sport by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2011 after being found guilty of deliberately contriving no-balls in return for money during the Lord's Test against England in 2010.

The trio and their agent Mazhar Majeed were released last year after being jailed by an English court in 2011.

“I apologise to the nation and all the fans who have been hurt by the spot-fixing case,” Butt told a press conference in his first public apology for the offence.

Butt received a 10-year ban, with five years suspended, for his role in the scam. Asif was barred for seven years, with two suspended, while Amir got five years.

In April, Butt and Asif lost their appeals to the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), and the ICC urged the players to accept their guilt and start rehabilitation. Amir had not appealed after pleading guilty before the UK court in 2011.

“I admit the ICC tribunal decision and warn the future players to avoid the pitfalls of corruption because this is bad for the country and for the fans,” Butt, 28, said.

He and Amir have agreed to undergo rehabilitation through the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Butt's public apology is seen as a step towards shortening the remaining period of suspension.

Butt also appealed to the interim PCB chief Najam Sethi on Friday to reduce his ban and permit a return to domestic cricket, while indicating his ambition to play internationally in the future.

“I request the interim chairman to request the ICC to reduce my and Asif's bans. I have two years ban left so if the ICC allows me to play domestic cricket then I will be ready for international matches once my ban ends.

“I have enough cricket left in me and when my ban ends I am ready to play for the country again,” said Butt.

Opinion

Merging for what?

Merging for what?

The concern is that if the government is thinking of cutting costs through the merger, we might even lose the functionality levels we currently have.

Editorial

Dubai properties
Updated 16 May, 2024

Dubai properties

It is hoped that any investigation that is conducted will be fair and that no wrongdoing will be excused.
In good faith
16 May, 2024

In good faith

THE ‘P’ in PTI might as well stand for perplexing. After a constant yo-yoing around holding talks, the PTI has...
CTDs’ shortcomings
16 May, 2024

CTDs’ shortcomings

WHILE threats from terrorist groups need to be countered on the battlefield through military means, long-term ...
Reserved seats
Updated 15 May, 2024

Reserved seats

The ECP's decisions and actions clearly need to be reviewed in light of the country’s laws.
Secretive state
15 May, 2024

Secretive state

THERE is a fresh push by the state to stamp out all criticism by using the alibi of protecting national interests....
Plague of rape
15 May, 2024

Plague of rape

FLAWED narratives about women — from being weak and vulnerable to provocative and culpable — have led to...