Cricket South Africa (CSA) has handed Gulam Bodi a 20 year ban for his role in the Ram Slam T20 match-fixing saga.

Bodi admitted charges of contriving or attempting to fix matches in the recent tournament, although the evidence gathered by CSA’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit would have been more than enough to throw him under the bus. Here’s the official CSA statement:

Bodi is immediately banned for a period of twenty years from participating in, or being involved in any capacity in, any international or domestic match or any other kind of function, event or activity (other than authorized anti-corruption education or rehabilitation programmes) that is authorized, organized, sanctioned, recognized or supported in any way by CSA, the ICC, a National Cricket Federation or any member of a National Cricket Federation.

Five of those years are suspended on condition that Mr Bodi commits no further offences under the Code and demonstrates to CSA’s reasonable satisfaction that he has actively and constructively participated in corruption-related player education programmes when asked to do so.

“CSA thoroughly considered all the relevant factors and determined that a lengthy ban was appropriate”, commented CSA Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat.

“Our attitude to corruption will always be one of zero tolerance. There is no doubt that Mr Bodi’s actions have threatened the integrity and image of the game that we love and he must be handed a strong punishment. We have had many discussions with Mr Bodi and he accepts the folly of his actions,” added Mr Lorgat.

“We are fortunate in this instance that several players rejected his approaches and, as a direct result of our integrity processes, which include CSA and SACA player education programmes, the matter was brought to light and meticulously investigated,” said Mr Lorgat.

“There are no winners in this sort of ill-fated and unfortunate matter. However, all of us in the cricket community must learn from this experience and remain vigilant. We expect that that Mr Bodi himself will learn and will actively assist us in reminding players of the dangers of corrupt behaviour,” said Mr Lorgat.

It remains to be seen which other players will be charged, although Thami Tsolekile may well be squirming in his chair.

Name and shame CSA, let’s rid the game of this scourge.

[source:csa]