Tsotsobe gets eight-year ban
MATCH-FIXING PLAN: 10 BREACHES OF CODE
Bowler admitted to contriving to fix one Ram Slam match in 2015.
Former Proteas and Highveld Lions fast bowler Lonwabo Tsotsobe has paid a heavy price for his involvement in match-fixing. Cricket South Africa (CSA) has banned the left-arm seamer for eight years for several breaches of its Anti-Corruption Code for Personnel.
This ban follows a lengthy and detailed investigation and the previous imposition by CSA in 2016 of a 20-year ban on former Proteas player Gulam Bodi, who admitted to charges of contriving or attempting to fix matches in the 2015 Ram Slam T20 Challenge Series.
Five other players – Jean Symes, Ethy Mbhalati, Pumelela Matshikwe, Thami Tsolekile and Alviro Petersen – have since admitted to contraventions of the code and have been banned for periods ranging between two to 12 years.
Tsotsobe admitted to one charge of contriving to fix one Ram Slam match while playing for the Lions in 2015, two charges of failing to disclose to the CSA anti-corruption officer the full details of an approach to engage in corrupt conduct, two charges of failing to disclose full details of matters evidencing a breach of the code by another participant, three charges of failing or refusing to co-operate with an investigation (including failing to provide accurate and complete information) and two charges of obstructing or delaying the investigation by destroying evidence and concealing information relevant to the investigation.
CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat said: “Tsotsobe has ultimately admitted his mistakes in contravening the CSA Anti-Corruption Code and, while no fix actually took place, it is clear he was active in plans to participate in spot-fixing and hence the sanction imposed on him.”
Due to the international nature of match-fixing activities, the CSA investigation involved many painstaking months of gathering evidence and cooperating closely with the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit. The investigators also engaged with the SA Police Service, the Hawks and independent forensic experts.
In response to the ban, Tsotsobe said: “I wish to apologise to cricket lovers all over the world. I was, at the time, in a very vulnerable financial state and this dilemma too easily persuaded me to participate in spot-fixing. There are no words to describe the regret I have in relation to my actions and I hope the cricket world considers my apology and understands my deepest feeling of remorse.” –