Former New Zealand international Lou Vincent confirmed on Thursday that he failed to tell authorities when a bookmaker approached him about fixing a match in Bangladesh, but said that was the extent of any wrongdoing
Auckland: Former New Zealand batsman Lou Vincent on Thursday pleaded guilty to not reporting the bookmakers' illegal approach during the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) in 2013.
Vincent, 35, said in a statement that he had rejected the offer made to him and was not involved in fixing matches.
ADVERTISEMENT
"I confirm I rejected this approach at the time. There is no allegation or suggestion anything untoward occurred beyond the approach itself," he said.
Lou Vincent
Vincent, who played for Khulna Royal Warriors in the BPL last year, is among the eight cricketers who are being probed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for theior alleged role in the BPL.
Vincent, who retired last year, is the third player to have admitted his guilt in the match-fixing scandal in the BPL. Former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful and Sri Lankan spinner Kaushal Lokuarachchi have admitted their role in match-fixing in BPL.
The Kiwi said he had pleaded guilty to breaching the International Cricket Council's (ICC) anti-corruption code by not reporting the approach while playing in the scandal-tainted BPL last year.
"I also express I have no involvement in any of the matches, or matters, involving the other parties, which were the subject of recent hearings and investigation in Bangladesh. Unfortunately, I am unable to comment any further on this matter, as it is subject to an ongoing judicial process," he said.
"I am also continuing to co-operate with the ICC in respect of other inquiries, they are making, which also restricts my ability to comment any further," he added.
Vincent's former New Zealand team mates Daryl Tuffey and Chris Cairns are also being investigated by the ICC for their alleged role in match-fixing in the BPL.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Anti-Corruption Tribunal, investigating the case, has acquitted ex-Bangladesh cricketer Mohammad Rafique, Bangladesh paceman Mahbubul Alam and left-arm spinner Mosharraf Hossain, Kent allrounder Darren Stevens, Dhaka Gladiators co-owner Salim Chowdhury, and the club's Indian CEO Gaurav Rawat.
But the ICC and the BCB in a joint statement said that they are surprised and obviously disappointed with the outcome.
"Both organisations await the Tribunal's detailed written determination setting out the reasons for the outcome, which will be provided shortly, and will consider it carefully before determining the next steps, including whether to appeal any aspect(s) of the judgment," ICC and BCB said in a statement.
New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White declined to speculate on what sanction he could face but said authorities took any infringement linked to corruption seriously.
"We're concerned that a former New Zealand player has been linked to the ICC's Bangladesh Premier League investigation," he told Radio Sport. "Of course, we're a strong advocate of the ICC's anti-corruption protocols and we treat this matter very seriously."
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
