Despair over spread of spot-fixing 'cancer'

NEW DELHI, May 18, 2013 (AFP) - The arrest of three Indian cricketers for spot-fixing has prompted new fears over the growing influence of betting mafias on the game in the subcontinent and despair about the "cancer" of corruption.

Police behind the arrests say the trio were acting under orders from crime syndicates whose bosses are based in the Gulf but are well aware of the rewards if they can manipulate events on the field throughout the cricket-mad region.

Commentators meanwhile say administrators from across South Asia have to share some of the blame for the growing list of scandals after failing to ostracise players who have previously been fingered by investigators.

"The spot-fixing cancer has spread far and wide and there is no cure unless authorities take strict action against players," leading cricket historian Boria Majumdar told AFP.

"Cricketers who are found guilty should have nothing to do with the game for the rest of their lives."

The three arrested Thursday, including Test bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, are said to have deliberately bowled badly in exchange for tens of thousands of dollars while playing for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League.

It is the second such scandal to have rocked the tournament in as many years and comes only months after leading umpires from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka were caught in a TV sting being apparently willing to give favourable decisions in exchange for cash during other Twenty20 competitions in the region.

Last year's inaugural edition of the Bangladesh Premier League, another Twenty20 tournament, was also marred by corruption allegations and saw former Bangladeshi international Shariful Haque being indefinitely banned.