UK police pass spot-fixing file to prosecutors

LONDON, (Reuters) – British police have sent to  prosecutors their initial findings in an investigation into  allegations of spot-fixing by Pakistaniricketers during a test  match against England last month, the police said yesterday.

London police have interviewed Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif,  Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz over claims they fixed certain  incidents, such as the bowling of no-balls at predetermined  times, during the fourth test at Lord’s.

“The Metropolitan Police service today 17th September has  delivered an initial file of evidence relating to conspiring to  defraud bookmakers to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS),”  police said in a statement.
“The file will now be subject to CPS consideration. This is  an initial file and an MPS investigation continues,” it added.

A CPS spokesman said it would wait for all the evidence  before deciding whether to take further action.

Butt, Asif and Amir have been suspended by the International  Cricket Council while the allegations are investigated.

British prosecutors on Thursday charged former Essex county  cricketer Mervyn Westfield with fraud over allegations that he  deliberately bowled badly in a domestic match last year.