ICC upholds spot-fixing bans on Butt and Amir

DUBAI,  (Reuters) – Pakistan players Salman Butt and  Mohammad Amir had their provisional suspensions over allegations  of spot-fixing upheld by the International Cricket Council (ICC)  today.
Butt and Amir were appealing for their bans to be lifted.  Team mate Mohammad Asif was also suspended over the same  allegations but withdrew his appeal earlier this month in order  to give his lawyers more time to prepare a detailed challenge.
“I have decided to dismiss the applications … all three  players accordingly are still for the time being unable to  participate in cricketing activities,” the head of the ICC’s  code of conduct commission Michael Beloff told reporters after a  two-day hearing.
The innocence or guilt of the players, who have all denied  any wrongdoing, will be judged at an independent tribunal, the  date of which has yet to be set.
“Their cases will go forward to the anti-corruption tribunal  who will adjudicate as soon as practical upon whether the  several charges made against them are proved,” Beloff said.
The hearing in Dubai was solely concerned with determining  whether the ICC followed the correct procedures in imposing the  bans.
Lawyers Khalid Ranjha and Aftab Gul, both acting for former  test captain Butt, said the hearing was fair but they were  disappointed with the decision.
When asked by reporters whether he thought he would play  cricket again, Butt replied: “Yes, definitely”.
Fast bowler Amir declined to comment when he left the  hearing.
Butt, Amir and paceman Asif were suspended by the ICC on  Sept. 2 after being charged with various offences under  cricket’s anti-corruption code.
The bans followed allegations in a British newspaper of  spot-fixing during the recent test series against England.
The British newspaper report alleged Amir and Asif  deliberately bowled no-balls to order in a test against England  at Lord’s in August, with the involvement of Butt who was then  Pakistan captain.
British police are also investigating the spot-fixing  allegations against the trio.