Safety issue puts players in a fix

Players live in fear after reporting approaches by bookies, especially in tournaments such as the IPL, claims International Cricketers' Association chief, Tim May.

Players live in fear after reporting approaches by bookies, especially in tournaments such as the IPL, claims International Cricketers' Association chief, Tim May.

HT Image

Match-fixing is back in spotlight due to the ongoing trial against Salman Butt and Md Asif in London.

The bookie at the centre of it all, Mazhar Majeed, has dropped names of other international players as well, including Australians. But the Aussies have been cleared by the ICC.

May said players need to be sure that their names would be protected when they report approaches to the ICC. "Some international players are expressing that they don't have this point of trust, especially in IPL. Players will be more inclined to report approaches etc if there is greater anonymity around the reporting process ... some players won't report breaches they observe for either fear of their safety or simply because they just don't want to get involved."