Faith Of Trio Set For Feb. 5

The following is the text of the statement issued by the chairman of the independent Anti-Corruption Tribunal Mr Michael Beloff, QC, at the end of a six-day hearing of three Pakistan players – Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif — at the Qatar Financial Centre Civil and Commercial Court, QFC Tower 2, on Tuesday.

“The tribunal has been constituted to determine charges against Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif brought under the ICC Anti-Corruption Code in relation to two Test matches played during August 2010 in the series between Pakistan and England, The Oval Test and the Lord’s Test.

“For the purposes of the hearing, the tribunal has been provided with eight volumes of written evidence and legal materials.

“The hearing itself has lasted more than 45 hours spread over six days during which the tribunal has heard oral and written testimonies and tapes, watched video recordings and listened to forensic submissions.

“Counsel for all parties have acknowledged that they have had a fair opportunity to present their respective cases.

“The ICC has withdrawn all charges against the three players in relation to The Oval Test except for one against Mr Butt.

“The tribunal has formally acquitted the players in respect of the charges which have been withdrawn. The other charges which include all those relating to the Lord’s Test remain for consideration.

“The tribunal has throughout been very conscious of the importance of these proceedings to three players and to the wider world of cricket.

“Representations have been made to the tribunal to reserve any decision on the remaining charges until it has had sufficient time to give the issue the most careful consideration and until it is able, at the same time as handing down its decision, to provide written reasons. This was not feasible within the timetable agreed for this hearing in Doha.

“The tribunal has, therefore, determined to continue its deliberations and will hold a further hearing in Doha on 5 February 2011 at which its decisions will be handed down to the parties, and any consequential matters will be dealt with.

“Until that date, all the three players will remain suspended from all cricketing activities.”

BACKGROUND:
On 2 September 2010, the ICC charged the players in question with various offences under Article 2 of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code for Players and Player Support Personnel relating to alleged irregular behaviour during, and in relation to, the fourth Test between England and Pakistan at Lord’s.

The three players were officially notified of the alleged offences and were provisionally suspended pending a decision on those charges. In accordance with the provisions of the code, this meant they were immediately barred from participating in all cricket and related activities until the case had been concluded.

On 31 October 2010, Mr Beloff, QC, after a two-day hearing in Dubai, rejected appeals by Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir against the imposition of the provisional suspension against them.

On 12 November 2010, the ICC Code of Commissioner Mr Beloff, QC, formally constituted the Anti-Corruption Tribunal to determine the matter, with himself as the chairman and two other Code of Conduct Commissioners, Justice Albie Sachs from South Africa and Sharad Rao from Kenya, also sitting. Mr Beloff, QC, also announced that the full hearing would take place in Doha, Qatar, from 6 to 11 January 2011.

On 22 December 2010, Mr Beloff, QC, heard an application from Salman Butt’s new legal representation for an adjournment of the full hearing. Following a lengthy telephone hearing and having received written submissions from all parties, Mr Butt’s application was rejected.