If There is Fresh Proof of Bribe, International Cricket Council May Reopen Case Against Chennai's Players: Sources to NDTV
Sources close to International Cricket Council have told NDTV that the matter against three Chennai Super Kings players was now closed. Lalit Modi alleged that three players accepted illegal payments from an alleged bookie.
Sources close to the International Cricket Council have told NDTV on Monday that there were no charges of match-fixing against three Chennai Super Kings players who were mentioned in a Lalit Modi letter in 2013. However, the case could still be reopened if there were "fresh proof."
On Sunday, the ICC had issued a statement confirming receiving a letter from ex-IPL boss Modi alleging three top international players received illegal payments from an Indian businessman, alleged to be a bookie. (Thakur Plays Down Modi's Fixing Charges Against Three CSK Players)
NDTV's sources, close to ICC, said the "matter was now closed" but if "fresh proof emerges, ICC will reopen its investigations."
According to Modi, the illegal payments were worth Rs 20 crores each. The former IPL chairman made the allegation in June 2013 in a letter written to ICC CEO Dave Richardson.
"We acted on Lalit Modi's allegations against the three international players. Investigations did not find anything incriminating," sources said. (Modi's Letter Shared With BCCI, Confirms ICC)
In New Delhi on Monday, the BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur also rubbished Modi's letter, saying the ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit brought no charges against them. Two of the players under the scanner are current Indian stars. The third is a West Indian all-rounder.
The 2013 IPL match-fixing and betting scandal rocked Indian cricket. The Supreme Court barred ex-BCCI N. Srinivasan from contesting the Board elections due to "conflict of interest." Srinivasan's company Indian Cements owned the Chennai franchise. Srinivasan is currently the ICC chairman.
(With inputs from Nikhil Naz)