‘Players were unaware of Majeed’s illegal activities’

ISLAMABAD: The three Pakistan players suspended over allegations of spot-fixing have denied any knowledge of the wrongdoing by the businessman at the centre of the scandal, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board’s legal adviser.

“The players have informed the police that the man was their agent, but they had no knowledge about his illegal activities,” legal adviser Tafazzul Rizvi told private television channels in Pakistan.

“They (players) all went to record statements voluntarily to the police station.”

British tabloid News of the World has accused agent Mazhar Majeed of accepting money in exchange for getting fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir to bowl intentional no-balls during last week’s fourth test against England at Lord’s.

“Players all around the world have their agents and it’s not something new,” Rizvi said.
“Mazhar had been associated with different Pakistan players as an agent for the last six to seven years.”

Test captain Salman Butt, Asif and Amir were suspended by the International Cricket Council on Thursday. They have 14 days to decide whether they want to appeal against the suspension.

Rizvi said that all the three players were issued separate notice by the ICC and now “players have to fight their appeals on their own.”

“We will just monitor what happens at the appeals, but they have to contest it on their own,” Rizvi said.

The legal adviser said that the three players also showed a copy of their contract letters with Majeed to London police, who later released the players without any criminal charges.

Rizvi said money recovered from his clients doesn’t prove any wrongdoing.

Reports in British newspapers last week suggested that 50,000 pounds was recovered from Butt by police.

“Majeed is their marketing agent and the money recovered from players could be paid on sponsorship deals and it doesn’t prove a crime,” Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) legal adviser Taffazul Rizvi told AFP from London.

Majeed, an agent for several Pakistan players, was arrested following the News of the World’s allegations but later released on police bail.

Rizvi said the PCB was not involved in the appointment of players’ agents.

“Players themselves appoint their agents, and once they make a deal they get good money in sponsorship and have regular meetings,” said Rizvi.

When asked about text messages exchanged between the players and Majeed, Rizvi said: “This is usual between players and agents.”

Rizvi said the players, who were released on Friday without charge, had not been arrested.

“The players themselves went to the police station voluntarily and will always be available for interrogation as and when required,” he said.