It’s been a long time coming, Cricket South Africa (CSA) taking their time during a thorough investigation, but we now know the names and dirty deeds of the cricketers involved in the 2015 Ram Slam T20 Challenge Series match-fixing scandal.

Of course these four are aside from Gulam Bodi, the ringleader already banned for 20 years for his involvement in the scandal.

The four players banned are Jean Symes, Ethy Mbhalati, Pumelela Matshikwe and Thami Tsolekile – with more below from News24:

Symes, an all-rounder formerly contracted to the Lions, has been banned for seven years for failing to disclose to the CSA Anti-Corruption Officer a payment which he knew or ought to have known was given to him to procure a breach of the Code; failing to disclose details of an approach to engage in corrupt conduct under the Code; failing to disclose full details of matters evidencing a breach of the Code by another participant; and failing to co-operate with the investigators by knowingly providing false information to them.

Matshikwe, a bowler formerly contracted to the Lions, and Ethy Mbhalati, a bowler formerly contracted to the Titans, have both been banned for 10 years (Matshikwe having 3 of his 10 years suspended) for receiving a payment or incentive to fix or contrive to influence improperly a match or matches in the 2015 RAM SLAM; making a payment which in the circumstances would bring the sport of cricket into disrepute; failing to disclose to the CSA Anti-Corruption officer a payment which they knew or ought to have known was given to them to procure a breach of the Code; failing to disclose details of an approach to engage in corrupt conduct and failing to disclose full details of matters evidencing a breach of the Code by another participant.

Thami Tsolekile, the former Proteas wicketkeeper and former Lions captain, has received a ban of 12 years for contriving to fix a match or matches in the 2015 RAM SLAM; failing to disclose to the CSA Anti-Corruption Officer the full details of an approach to engage in corrupt conduct; failing to disclose full details of matters evidencing a breach of the Code by another participant; and obstructing or delaying the investigation by destroying evidence that was relevant to the investigation.

Good bloody riddance really, and props to CSA for taking harsh measures against those involved, even if investigations did take longer than most had hoped.

Here’s CSA Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat:

“Whilst there has been no evidence to suggest that an actual fix in any match was carried out, these players all participated in material discussions about match fixing. In fact, they all went further and accepted, or agreed to accept in the future, sums of money which they knew or ought to have known was given to them to procure a breach of the Code, or bring the game into disrepute.

“Our attitude towards any form of corruption is clear and hence why we have imposed the firm sanctions.

“To their credit, all of these players eventually admitted their misconduct and co-operated with the investigators. They have also shown remorse for their actions. Importantly, each of them has indicated a willingness to engage in anti-corruption education to assist us to prevent this kind of conduct in the future,” added Lorgat.

It sure is easy to show remorse once you’ve been caught with your pants down.

[source:news24]