Dial ‘M’ for Match-Fixing

[jusarrived]

this will be sold out in Pakistan , has much better chance of increasing Indo-Pak trade than the Tata Nanos . 190m copies * (cost? ) :woot:

[urbestfriend]

This is utter crap man! As someone pointed out, these journos have no professional ethics and they can stoop to any level to make some quick bucks. This guy must be watching too many Bollywood movies, he can be a good script writer for upcoming thriller. :mad: They know they can't take names as they'll get sued. In coming days all major media houses will be discussing this issue, SI's sales will go up drastically and Prem panicker will be running all they way to the bank.

[Sachinism]

Match fixing cancer still plagues the game of cricket As far as a one-minute snippet from a conversation goes, this one is enough to send a chill down any Indian cricket lover's spine. It forms part of nearly 400 hours of audio that Sports Illustrated's Indian edition has recorded as research for its May cover story, Cricket in a Fix. While many in the media have been reluctant or slow to latch on to its significance, it merely confirms what many of us have known for years, that the match-fixing cancer never really went away. The conversation is of a bookmaker telling the magazine about a player having committed to fix a match. The player did not come through and someone higher up the illegal gambling food chain asked the bookmaker to call the player and ask for an explanation. When he did, the player abused him and hung up. The following day, one of the player's acquaintances called the bookmaker to clarify the situation. He said that a Board of Control for Cricket in India official with suspicions of something being amiss had gone into the dressing room and issued a caution. The player had heeded the warning and was now prepared to return the money that he had taken. At other points in what is a detailed nine-page expose of the murky world inhabited by bookmakers and their influential patrons, an Indian cricket board official is quoted as saying that the same player had been warned during the second season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) — shifted to South Africa at the last minute — because of the dubious company that he kept. There is another conversation where a bookmaker's aide tells the correspondent that he called up the player during a Twenty20 international — players are banned from using phones inside the dressing room under International Cricket Council (ICC) guidelines — to inquire about a spot-fixing deal, allegedly worth 50 million Rupees (Dh4.1 million), gone wrong. "While we were not privy to him calling up the player in question, the player's personal numbers he had were correct and some of the details and team information he had were startling," says the magazine. "This man, incidentally, is not remotely connected to cricket in any obvious way — he is not a player, a sports agent, a sponsor, an official, a media person, a PR rep, a relative or a friend of a player or even a fan. To him, as he says, it's business." Over the coming days, those of the three-monkeys persuasion — "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" — will either ignore the story or claim that it is an attempt to rock a happy World-Cup winning boat. But Sports Illustrated is not some third-rate tabloid or a television channel with a ratings agenda. Both the editor and deputy editor have won awards for cricket journalism in India and have toured with the team for years. Instead of going on the defensive and getting into a head-in-the-sand pose, ostrich style, Indian cricket needs to start making some tough calls. The first of them concerns the IPL, and the access that dodgy individuals have to players. Certain board functionaries were greatly perturbed during the league's South African season because they had virtually no control over whom the players associated with. "Several known shady characters based in the Middle East, but not seen in India, flew into South Africa and booked rooms in the players' hotels, both during last year's Champions League and the IPL's second season," says an official quoted in the SI story. The second, and biggest, decision has to be with regard to player agents. A lot of "agents" are nothing more than third-rate chancers, with the potential to drag players down the route that the News of the World's hidden cameras exposed last August. Sports agency is a profession like any other. To be one in the National Football League in the United States, you have to pass a written exam. England's Football Association has 16 pages of rules and regulations that player agents must follow. What guidelines are in place to monitor players' managers in India? Nothing. It is a seedy free-for-all where opportunists with little or no connection to any sport are quick to cash in once a player makes a mark. Like vultures, they circle around, with the younger players especially vulnerable. A senior journalist who covered the 2008 Under 19 World Cup - Virat Kohli captained India to victory - wrote of how a small group of agents had assembled there. Often, a pair of Oakley sunglasses or Nike shoes is all it takes for a starry-eyed and impressionable young kid to come under someone's influence. SI have offered both the ICC and the Indian board access to their tapes and the other evidence that they have gathered. But no matter what emerges from an official investigation, if any, the current system cannot be allowed to continue. No one should kid themselves with the thought that Indian players now make "enough" money to make them immune to temptation. For the greedy, or those compromised by their association with the crooked, there is no such thing. http://www.thenational.ae/sport/cricket/match-fixing-cancer-still-plagues-the-game-of-cricket

[Ultimate_Game]

^^^^ Again show us the proof. It's not enough to make unsubstantiated claims without disclosing the source or the perpetrator. This article is more in the realm of Zulqernain Haider than NOTW.

[jf1gp_1]

The conversation is of a bookmaker telling the magazine about a player having committed to fix a match. The player did not come through and someone higher up the illegal gambling food chain asked the bookmaker to call the player and ask for an explanation. When he did, the player abused him and hung up. The following day, one of the player's acquaintances called the bookmaker to clarify the situation. He said that a Board of Control for Cricket in India official with suspicions of something being amiss had gone into the dressing room and issued a caution. The player had heeded the warning and was now prepared to return the money that he had taken. http://www.thenational.ae/sport/cricket/match-fixing-cancer-still-plagues-the-game-of-cricket

there was this story i read in a newspaper years ago; a guy used to sit outside police recruitment center. He would guarantee selection for 5000 or something like that else money back. So he would collect money from everyone who was willing and did nothing. Once the results was out he would keep the money of those who got selected on their own (ofcourse claiming he got it done) and returned money of all those who got rejected. This claim is on the very same line, i had no idea there was a SI India edition; no names no proof, infact based on the article the journalist seems to be confused between betting and fixing which are two very different things

[ganeshran]

They should come up with some evidence like NOTW did.. Action cannot be taken on hearsay

[tnameh]

SI's sales will go up drastically and Prem panicker will be running all they way to the bank.

As someone watching these developments closely, I have to say that's the funniest, most factually incorrect, comment I've heard on the subject. :haha: The problem is, most of you aren't prepared to realise that something of this sort can hit Indian cricket. You only want to shoot the messenger. We make gods out of humans, and don't like it when they are questioned. Hence they are not questioned. So entire scandals get swept under the carpet because the public isn't prepared to believe their gods can be corrupt. You're not prepared to put any faith in this story; why would you put any faith in the tapes when they are released? This is a developing story. There's plenty more to come. So hold on, before you make up your minds about anything. We live in an imperfect world, with imperfect people.

[ganeshran]

As someone watching these developments closely, I have to say that's the funniest, most factually incorrect, comment I've heard on the subject. :haha: The problem is, most of you aren't prepared to realise that something of this sort can hit Indian cricket. You only want to shoot the messenger. We make gods out of humans, and don't like it when they are questioned. Hence they are not questioned. So entire scandals get swept under the carpet because the public isn't prepared to believe their gods can be corrupt. You're not prepared to put any faith in this story; why would you put any faith in the tapes when they are released? This is a developing story. There's plenty more to come. So hold on, before you make up your minds about anything. We live in an imperfect world, with imperfect people.

I am sure after the NOTW expose there are no preset mindsets that automatically rejects allegations of match fixing. But without proof, allegations remain mere allegations.. So unless there is solid proof like a smoking gun or clear proof of underperforming, players get the benefit of doubt

[Sachinism]

Its a story picked up by Prem Panicker and Dileep Premachandran; who aren't some ToI style journalist

[Karan114]

I'm certainly not rubbishing the story - it seems to be pretty exhaustive coverage to me and will be interesting to hear the tapes if they are released. It is also interesting that this senior Indian player from Delhi who was allegedly trying to fix games was separately warned by the BCCI even two years ago.

[tnameh]

So unless there is solid proof like a smoking gun or clear proof of underperforming' date=' players get the benefit of doubt[/quote'] I'm sorry to say this sir, but there is no such thing as solid proof or a smoking gun in these matters. And even if someone had Cronje-like balls to admit a mistake, we will still distrust them and say, "He's just the fall guy; the real culprits will never be caught." So it goes. What was the solid proof that led to the bans on Azhar, Jadeja, Prabhakar and the likes? It was all circumstantial evidence; a matter of putting two and two together. Even the NOTW sting isn't solid proof. The ICC has been advised against revealing the details of their trial of the two Mohammads and Salman Butt. Because if they do, the case will fall flat on its face in a real court.

[tnameh]

it seems to be pretty exhaustive coverage to me and will be interesting to hear the tapes if they are released.

The tapes will not hit the public domain any time soon. They're going to be sent to the ICC and the BCCI.

[Vijay.Sharma]

Its a story picked up by Prem Panicker and Dileep Premachandran; who aren't some ToI style journalist

Prem Panicker and Dileep Premachandran are not ToI style journalists for sure, but they are "Mid Day" and "Ramani" (that erstwhile Telugu language Hustler type magazine), and "Human Digest" kinda "journalists". Prem Panicker at least is better off and readable sometimes but Premachandran is a typical elitist, "I live in England, I am an NRI and I understand what TRUE cricket is and I am a connossiuer and I hate IPL" kinda journo. He is behaving like a defeated fellow. Someone did not give him a share in the IPL pie and hence he has been ranting about it right from 2007. So is the case with Panicker, Surech Menon and many others. Of course mine is a fallacious argument but the moment you make a fallacious argument that we should take a messenger seriously because of his reputation then I will use the same logic to show you that the messenger is scum. So, let's concentrate on the message rather than the messenger. Anything in the message makes your eye brows rise? Please share (hopefully it won't be conjecture)

[ganeshran]

I'm sorry to say this sir, but there is no such thing as solid proof or a smoking gun in these matters. And even if someone had Cronje-like balls to admit a mistake, we will still distrust them and say, "He's just the fall guy; the real culprits will never be caught." So it goes. What was the solid proof that led to the bans on Azhar, Jadeja, Prabhakar and the likes? It was all circumstantial evidence; a matter of putting two and two together. Even the NOTW sting isn't solid proof. The ICC has been advised against revealing the details of their trial of the two Mohammads and Salman Butt. Because if they do, the case will fall flat on its face in a real court.

You are contradicting yourself here. On one side you say that Indian fans will never accept proof because these players mean so much to us, and on the other hand you propound a conspiracy theory that ICC dont give the details of the NoTW case because of the absence of the proof against the trio. The case is already up for hearing at the CAS and what do you think is stopping the trio from going to a civil court if they feel ICC is biased against them? So if there is no such thing as solid proof, then what basis should action be taken on? Do you want the board of cricket to take into account a conversation between two unrelated parties who name few players as being tainted of match fixing. Especially without giving any specific details of underperformance or clear evidence of the same. I could have the same conversation with another person accusing half the Indian team of fixing the match then give the evidence to BCCI in case they lost it. Match fixing does occur, there is no doubt about it but the players least likely to do it in the current era is the Indian team. Their income avenues have multiplied after the IPL and almost everyone's compensation is in line with their talent. Players cannot continue to underperform and still guarantee their place in the team. We have already seen that BCCI has exhibited zero tolerance for it handing life bans to quite a few players. That being said, if there is proof of any Indian players being involved in fixing, I would be first one to call for a life ban and legal action and taken against them. But I am not going to believe in such accusations based on the words of a few bookies who might or might not be connected with the game

[Chandan]

Its a story picked up by Prem Panicker and Dileep Premachandran; who aren't some ToI style journalist

I agree that they have been responsible journalists till now. But they are not the ones who've done any research. They've merely showed their faith in the SI story. Maybe they have too much faith in Kadambari Murali Wade who herself has been a good journalist. But I'm not willing to accept her story till she puts up some solid proof.

[ganeshran]

Has anyone read the SI story? Care to scan and put it up?

[tnameh]

Prem Panicker and Dileep Premachandran are not ToI style journalists for sure, but they are "Mid Day" and "Ramani" (that erstwhile Telugu language Hustler type magazine), and "Human Digest" kinda "journalists". Prem Panicker at least is better off and readable sometimes but Premachandran is a typical elitist, "I live in England, I am an NRI and I understand what TRUE cricket is and I am a connossiuer and I hate IPL" kinda journo. He is behaving like a defeated fellow. Someone did not give him a share in the IPL pie and hence he has been ranting about it right from 2007. So is the case with Panicker, Surech Menon and many others. Of course mine is a fallacious argument but the moment you make a fallacious argument that we should take a messenger seriously because of his reputation then I will use the same logic to show you that the messenger is scum. So, let's concentrate on the message rather than the messenger. Anything in the message makes your eye brows rise? Please share (hopefully it won't be conjecture)

This is so misguided, I don't know where to begin. But just for the record — since you clearly don't seem to be the type who reads carefully before shooting off these comments — the investigation and the story has been done by Sports Illustrated India. Yahoo Cricket gave you a preview of the story. All these "scum messengers" are seasoned writers who have spent thousands of hours and millions of bucks following the game so that readers like you could benefit from the information they share. Most of what you know about cricket comes from them, and they've probably forgotten more about the game than you ever knew. So, seriously dude — the logic you just used? You could sharpen it by knowing how these writers argue their cases, and they don't do it by flinging poo.

[tnameh]

you propound a conspiracy theory that ICC dont give the details of the NoTW case because of the absence of the proof against the trio

Doh! Not a conspiracy theory, dude. Look it up. There are news articles about this. As for "solid proof", it's not happening. Not in this lifetime. Great if it does, but I doubt it. No sir, there's no "solid proof" that nailed Azhar, only some testimonies, phone records, bank details. That's all. There was no "solid proof" to nail Jadeja. Here's the thing about journalists providing proof, though. The SI journalist has taken great risks to tape bookies and meet shady characters. [Read about that here: http://blogs.cricket.yahoo.com/posts/2011/05/cricket-tends-to-protect-its-secrets-2/ ] An excerpt:

Your reporter Heena Zuni Pandit spent close to six months on this story. Did you have any apprehensions in involving a young, female reporter with such shady characters as bookies? Yes, I have been really worried! Honestly, when we first discussed the story in October, we didn't know where it would go. Zuni's story actually began with a chance recorded conversation she overheard, between a bookie and a top player. Till then, we hadn't seriously considered that there was any real truth to rumours all cricket reporters hear. We then sat her down before we gave the investigation the go ahead and talked it over, the pros, the cons, the potential dangers. Unfortunately, as she was undercover, no one else could accompany her, as it might have looked suspicious, but she's been really sensible, informed us about exactly where she was going every time she went somewhere, kept her cellphone charged and called in after every meeting and told us she was okay. At other times, she wasn't alone, there were cops around, in mufti, so it was okay. But yes, I think Zuni showed tremendous courage, enterprise and a dogged perseverance in going after this story.

This reporter has given you her version of the truth. It's up to you to believe it or junk it. You speak of the BCCI's "zero tolerance" like the Indian board is a shining beacon of integrity and propriety. Truth is, they may be as much in bed with bookies as are some of these players. Read the story, you'll know what I mean.

[ganeshran]

Doh! Not a conspiracy theory, dude. Look it up. There are news articles about this.

Can you post a neutral source which says that ICC doesnt want to reveal details of the case because the evidence against the trio was flimsy? Obviously the evidence would have been shared with the trio. If they felt that there was no evidence, why not file a case against ICC in a civil court for unfair treatment. You are playing both sides of the field here. On one hand you accuse Indian fans of ignoring evidence because of their inability to accept fault with their idols and on the other hand are defending three sportsmen who were caught with a smoking gun with enough visual and audio evidence combined with huge no balls to ban them for 5-10 years.

[vvvslaxman]

If SI can corroborate the story good luck. Otherwise they will face a massive lawsuit.