Revised code to help cricketers return early from corruption bans

N Srinivasan, David Richardson and Mustafa Kamal

Dubai, Nov 10 (IANS) The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday approved changes to its anti-corruption code that may allow banned players to return to domestic cricket before completion of their penalty period provided they meet certain criteria.

The amendments, which were earlier discussed in earlier meetings, were ratified at the latest meeting here.

The changes could benefit banned Pakistan trio of Mohammad Amir, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif after being found guilty of spot-fixing in 2010.

"The revised Code makes provision for a banned player to gain an early return to domestic cricket in certain circumstances," N. Srinivasan, ICC chairman, said in a release.

"When exercising his discretionary powers in this regard, however, the Chairman of the ACSU will consider a number of factors, including the level of remorse shown by the player, his/her cooperation with the ACSU's education programme and/or if the player has helped the ACSU by disclosing all information that, in turn, has helped it to enforce the Anti-Corruption Code in respect of others engaged in corruption conduct."

Other amendments to the anti-corruption code included giving the ICC the ability to suspend players for other "exceptional circumstances" - such as when charged by police.

The revisions also allow players to voluntarily suspend themselves after being charged under the code, but who have yet to be suspended by the ICC. The period of that suspension would be credited to the ban should a player be deemed guilty.

An option was introduced to allow a player to admit an offence early in the process and agree to a penalty to avoid a full tribunal.