World cricket remains in the grip of match-fixers who could resort to murder, kidnap and threats to keep the lid on the scandal, an official report said today.
The International Cricket Council's anti-corruption unit said match-fixing was rife even after life bans were imposed on three former captains - Hansie Cronje of South Africa, Mohammad Azharuddin of India and Salim Malik of Pakistan.
The 35-page report, prepared by ACU chief Paul Condon and released on the ICC website this morning, does not name any cricketers involved in match-fixing.
Condon's investigations revealed officials and players knew the game was corrupt but that few people were willing to come forward because they felt their lives could be in danger.
"It became clear that many people within cricket had significant information about corruption within the game," Condon said in the report.
"Allegations in the public domain were only the tip of the iceberg.
"I have spoken to people who have been threatened and others who have alleged murder and kidnapping threats linked to cricket corruption," he said.
"In order to respond to their anxieties I have interviewed some people away from their normal lifestyles," Condon wrote in the report.
- AFP