The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is to challenge the reduction in Umar Akmal’s ban that was granted to him on the appeal of an independent adjudicator.
As a consequence of the final hearing that took place on Wednesday, 29th July, the ban was cut short to eighteen months including the months in which he already has suffered the ban.
Now, the PCB says, they take the culprit activities on a serious note and they will take the matter to CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sports) to go against the reduction of his ban.
PCB to reverse the relief granted to Umar Akmal
“The PCB takes matters relating to anti-corruption very seriously and firmly maintains a zero-tolerance approach. The PCB believes a senior cricketer like Umar Akmal was aware of the consequences when, after having attended a number of anti-corruption lectures at the domestic and international level, having witnessed the consequences of indulging in corrupt conduct, still failed to report the approaches to the relevant authorities.
“The PCB doesn’t take any pride in seeing a cricketer of Umar’s stature being banned for corruption, but as a credible and respectable institution, we need to send out a loud and clear message to all our stakeholders that there will be no sympathy whatsoever for anyone who breaches the regulations.
“The PCB, in its commitment and drive against corruption in sports, has already submitted a draft proposal with the relevant government authorities around legislation on criminalizing corruption in sports and has also reviewed the existing legislation enacted within Pakistan whilst noting that the same fail to adequately target and address corruption/illegal manipulation in sports.
“In the draft paper, the board has proposed severe sanctions pertaining to corruption, illegal manipulation, betting, match, and spot-fixing as well as aiding and abetting such conduct; and proposes the penalties to be imposed on individuals found guilty of engaging in such offenses.”
Statements: Pakistan Cricket Board
