2011 World Cup fixing allegation: AG wants to study all related statements
The Attorney General’s ( AG) Department has asked the Sports Ministry to provide all statements made by complainants and defendants to study the case before giving an opinion on the alleged 2011 World Cup match- fixing scandal. The request is yet to be acceded.
Following a half- baked inquiry, the police Special Investigation Unit ( SIU) set up to investigate sports- related corruption submitted a six- page report to the AG’s Department through the line ministry for an opinion. But it has refused to give such opinion based purely on the report. Therefore, it has written to the Sports Ministry Secretary requesting all statements to decide whether laws have been violated. Mahindananda Aluthgamage, a ruling party politician, cast the wild charge with apparent conviction regarding the World Cup final played in Mumbai between Sri Lanka and India. He said Sri Lanka "sold" the match, basing his claim on a "suspicion" he had on the formation of the playing XI as well as several other turn of events before and during the match. He said he had proof but investigators here and abroad found nothing substantial to merit an investigation.
The Sports Ministry requested the SIU to investigate the minister’s claims. After recording his statement at his home, the SIU summoned the then Chairman of Selectors Aravinda de Silva, followed by Upul Tharanga, who was a member of the 2011 World Cup team, and Kumar Sangakkara who had captained the side. But none of the evidence has been presented to the AG's Department.
The SIU suspended investigations due to lack of evidence. They want the matter to be referred to the AntiCorruption Unit of the International Cricket Council ( ICC). However, the ICC said it has no reason to doubt the integrity of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup final 2011.
“The ICC Integrity Unit has looked into the recent allegations regarding the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Final 2011," Anti- Corruption Unit General Manager Alex Marshall said in a statement. “At this time, we have not been presented with any evidence that supports the claims made or which would merit launching an investigation under the ICC AntiCorruption Code.”
Although there’s no provision to investigate what took place nine years back, there’s provision to charge the minister for making false allegations under the Prevention of Offences Related to Sports Act.