ICC suspends Salgaonkar for failing to report approach
DUBAI/MUMBAI: The ICC handed a backdated suspension of six months to pitch curator Pandurang Salgaonkar for failing to report an approach by journalists posing as bookies ahead of the India-New Zealand clash in Pune last October.
However, the ICC found “no evidence of corruption” against the curator. Salgaonkar’s suspension started from October 25, when the match was played, and the six-month period is set to end on April 23. “The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced a six-month suspension on Maharashtra Cricket Association’s pitch curator Pandurang Salgaonkar following its investigations over alleged charges of corruption made by India Today in October 2017,” the ICC said in a statement.
“Salgaonkar was charged with a failure to report an approach but no evidence was found of him actually having been engaged in corruption and therefore no charges were laid against him on that basis.”
The television channel in question had two journalists, posing as bookies, do a sting operation on the curator.
ICC General Manager (AntiCorruption), Alex Marshall, said: “Mr Salgaonkar has accepted that he has committed the offence and has received a six-month suspension, which has been backdated to 25 October 2017, being the date he was internally suspended by MCA, and he will therefore be free to resume his duties on 24 April 2018.”
‘UNDUE ALLEGATIONS’
Salgaonkar later issued a press statement where he said the allegations were ‘undue’. “I have been humble servant of cricket and have served the game over last 50 years in various capacity. For publicity and attention, undue allegations were made against me,”
“I have accepted the judgement that I have failed on reporting to ACU. That was primarily due to the fact that my wife was in critical condition and was hospitalized one day prior to the match and also my involvement in preparation for the match, which had mentally and physically over occupied. However I accept and respect the decision of ICC.”