ICC gets teeth to bite

CHRISTCHURCH, Jan 11; The International Cricket Council ICC will set up an independent commission to investigate allegations of match-f...

CHRISTCHURCH, Jan 11; The International Cricket Council ICC will set up an independent commission to investigate allegations of match-fixing and also establish uniform penalties for serious offences.

At the end of a two-day meeting today, ICC chief executive David Richards said the nine Test-playing countries had unanimously agreed to arm ICC with wide-ranging powers to deal with match-fixing, bribery and other serious matters such as drug-taking. 8220;This meeting8217;s been historic,8221; Richards said. 8220;It gives ICC its teeth.

8220;We8217;re looking forward to bringing this process to a rapid end so that we can take cricket into the next century with restored dignity and harmony.8221;In allowing ICC to tackle the problem of match-fixing, each of the member nations agreed to relinquish some of their sovereign powers over domestic cricket.

Individual countries had previously been allowed to determine their own rules on player welfare and discipline, but will now be bound by uniform penalties established and enforced byICC.

8220;It8217;s an enormous step forward for our parent body to be given the power it8217;s got,8221; Australian Cricket Board chairman Denis Rogers said.8220;But the best thing about it is that the countries were unanimous about it. There was a tremendous will from everyone to do the right thing.8221;

Richards said the commission would be made up of three people, independent of the world8217;s cricket boards, and would begin its investigation before the end of February with a brief to report back to ICC by May 31. The commission will be given authority to order any of the ICC member nations to carry out an independent investigation into match fixing.

Each country will also be required to set up their own judicial process for handling any cases. Anyone found guilty of an offence, will be subject to a uniform penalty code to be established by the ICC. 8220;We haven8217;t determined the penalties just yet but rest assured, any person found guilty of match-fixing can expect to be put out of the game for a very long period of time ifnot forever. We are taking the matter that seriously,8221; Richards said.

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If the commission is unhappy with any country8217;s investigation, it will have the authority to conduct its own review of the case. It will also be given powers to punish any nation that does not comply with its procedures. 8220;We certainly have a serious problem on our hands but the view of the board is that this is not rampant throughout the game,8221; Richards said.

8220;The vast majority of people who play the game and are involved in the game at international level are honourable and decent people disturbed about the slur on their image and reputation.8221;

Warne, Waugh spared investigation: Shane Warne and Mark Waugh will be spared investigation by the commission because their case has already been settled. 8220;There is a basic principle in life that you can8217;t be tried twice for the same crime,8221; Richards said.