Vincent faces long ban over bookie breach
Co-operation continues with ICC, reports Duncan Johnstone. Former Black Cap Lou Vincent faces a ban from all cricket for up to five years for his part in a match-fixing scandal in Bangladesh which has raised the ire of the International Cricket Council.
The 35-year-old yesterday conceded he had not reported an approach from a bookmaker while he was playing for the Khulna Royals in the Bangladesh Premier League, a Twenty20 championship, last year.
Vincent was caught up in a sweeping investigation by the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s anti-corruption unit which involved a host of players and administrators.
The penalty for not reporting a bookie’s approach is between one and five years and can include a fine. The ban covers all areas of cricket including playing, coaching, commentating or earning a living from the game in any form.
But there could be more to come for Vincent who confirmed he was also ‘‘cooperating’’ with the ICC in ‘‘other inquiries’’ which are separate to the Bangladesh investigation.
Vincent has been part of an ongoing ICC probe into allegations of matchfixing. Former Black Caps teammates Daryl Tuffey and Chris Cairns have been linked to the same inquiry that was confirmed by the ICC late last year.
The Bangladesh board said they would be laying down sanctions within two weeks in a scandal that has netted two other international cricketers, Sri Lankan Kaushal Lokuarachchi and former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful, on separate charges as well as Dhaka Gladiators boss Shihab Jishan Chowdhury ‘‘being a party to an effort to fix the Chittagong match.’’
In a statement released yesterday, Vincent admitted he had failed to report the approach from a bookmaker though insisted he rejected that approach and had no involvement in other matters arising from the investigation.
But the ICC can still come down hard on Vincent who has broken their strict rules by: ‘‘Failing to disclose to the AntiCorruption Special Unit (without undue delay) full details of any approaches or invitations received by the participant to engage in conduct that would amount to a breach of the Anti-Corruption Code’’.
Vincent retired from playing cricket professionally last year. New Zealand cricket boss David White said his organisation was ‘‘concerned’’ that a former Black Cap had been linked to the investigation and they were treating the matter seriously.
White believed the Bangladesh investigation had been carried out in co-
Former Black Cap Lou Vincent in action for the Auckland Aces in late 2012. He now faces a lengthy ban from the game. operation with the ICC, though he suggested the details had been leaked early with sanctions still to be imposed.
Vincent, who has a property north of Auckland, has not been sighted since he confirmed he was part of an ICC investigation last December.
His lawyer, Chris Morris, declined to elaborate.
‘‘Thanks for opportunity but not currently,’’ Morris said when approached by Fairfax Media seeking comment.
Morris had earlier released a statement from Vincent that read: ‘‘I can confirm that I committed a breach in January 2014 of the ICC code in failing to report and approach from a bookmaker whilst playing in the Bangladesh T20 league in 2013.
‘‘I confirm I rejected this approach at the time. There is no allegation or suggestion anything untoward occurred beyond the approach itself.
‘‘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.
‘‘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.’’
Nine people were named in the Bangladesh scandal, including seven who have been charged with matchfixing offences, and two others (including Vincent) charged with failing to comply with their obligation to report corruption.
A further six people were cleared of allegations.
In a joint statement by the ICC and Bangladesh Cricket Board, both organisations expressed their ‘‘surprise’’ and ‘‘disappointment’’ with the outcome of the findings.
‘‘The ICC and the BCB have received the determination and are surprised and obviously disappointed with the outcome,’’ the statement read.
‘‘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.
‘‘In the meantime, no further comment will be made by either the ICC or the BCB.’’