Video: SL umpires involved in match-fixing-Report

8 October 2012 04:05 pm - 68 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) backed the three beleaguered umpires who are at the centre of a major match-fixing controversy connected to the just concluded ICC World Twenty20 event and said it was the responsibility of the ICC to investigate the allegations.

“We have the highest confidence in our officials and it is not correct to comment on allegations without a proper inquiry and facts,” said SLC Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga.

“As far as Sri Lanka Cricket is concerned, our tolerance level for corruption and doping is zero. When it comes to SLPL we got the ICC to look into these areas and we have not got any bad reports apart from that incident which we are all aware of,” Ranatunga said.

“If there are any wrongdoings, people concerned can report it to the ICC and based on the reports and findings we will take action. Till such time we are not in a position to comment on that,” Ranatunga added.

Ranatunga also claimed that SLC’s newly appointed anti-corruption officer Lakshman de Silva would not be investigating the matter till ICC took some action on it.

“Even if he gets any complaints or evidence, he has to refer those to the ICC first. Based on ICC’s actions we will take the next step of action. We cannot initiate any inquiries before that,” Ranatunga said.

Meanwhile, the International Cricket Council (ICC) issued a media release last night and confirmed that the umpires named by the channel were not involved in the World T20 event, raising serious doubts about the entire episode.

“The ICC confirms that none of the umpires named were involved in any of the official games of the ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka” said the ICC statement.

ICC called on the TV station to hand over evidence to them for further investigations.

“The ICC and its relevant members have been made aware of the allegations made by India TV this evening and calls on the station to turnover any information which can assist the ICC’s urgent investigations into this matter,” the statement said.

When contacted by Daily Mirror last night de Silva said he was not aware of the allegations that had received wide publicity in Indian media and promised to check them out.

The Indian media reports named umpires Gamini Dissanayake, Maurice Winston Dela Zilwa and Sagara Gallage as Sri Lankan umpires among six Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi and Pakistani umpires who had allegedly consented to fix matches in return for money.

The reports alleged that undercover reporters from India TV managed to record conversations with these umpires who had agreed to the scheme.

However Dela Zilwa and Dissanayake both flatly denied the allegations and told “Daily Mirror” that the stories are a complete fabrication.

“I was not involved in the ICC World T20, so how can I fix matches when I am not involved? This is absurd,” said Dela Zilwa.

“This is news to me. I was not officiating in any matches. It is shocking how our names have been linked to this. Obviously this is an attempt at mud slinging,” claimed Dissanayake.

However Gallage dodged the issue saying, “I don’t know anything about this,” and cut the phone when Daily Mirror contacted him last night.

Both Dela Zilwa and Dissanayake confessed they did not know about the development till Daily Mirror contacted them around 9 pm last night and even asked for the addresses of the websites that carried the news.

The six umpires who were exposed in the sting named "Operation World Cup" by India TV are: Nadeem Ghauri and Anees Siddiqui of Pakistan and Nadir Shah of Bangaldesh, in addition to the three Sri Lankans.

The report alleged that a seventh umpire Sharfudoullah Shahid Saikat of Bangladesh refused to give any favour in lieu of money.

The entire sting operation had been telecast on Monday prime time by India TV.

According to Indian media reports the sting number two had named Sri Lankan premier panel umpire Gallage as the fourth umpire at the crucial India-Pakistan T20 World Cup match on September 17. It had alleged that for a payment of Rs 50,000, Gallage had agreed to reveal the match pitch report, weather report, toss report, and even the playing elevens of both teams.

Gallage had also promised allegedly to give Pakistani batsman Imran Nazir out, even if he was not out, in exchange for money in Sri Lankan Premier League (SLPL).

Gallage even promised the undercover reporter to get a decision made in favour of India in course of the match by 'managing' the match referee and other officials, the reports added.

Gallage had recommended Dela Zilwa's name to the India TV undercover reporter. For the crucial T20 World Cup match on September 17 between Australia and England, Dela Zilwa had shared the pitch report, toss report and playing elevens of both teams and demanded Rs 50,000 bribe, the reports claimed.

This exposure had come close on the heels of five Indian cricketers found involved in spot-fixing and the reports said the TV programme had carried footage showing six umpires willing to give wrong decisions during a game.

The reports alleged that Dissanayake went a step ahead and claimed that by providing liquor to Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC) officials, one can get any work done.

Gallage had been shown on the programme as saying he was ready to give not out as out and out as not out in any format of the game on their demand and was ready to spot-fix in SLPL matches on their demand.

Reports described him as a premiere panel Umpire who has officiated in 4 ODI's and 2 Test matches, and as 4th Umpire against India, Pakistan, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. He has also officiated in many T-20 matches.

India TV named him as the same individual who had also helped them in SLPL league, semi-final and the final matches by charging 15,000 Indian currencies.

India TV website also has published a complete transcript of the conversations with Gallage. (Channaka de Silva)

Meanwhile the Gulf News reported

Hot on the heels of five Indian cricketers being found to be involved in spot-fixing, a new sting operation has revealed that six umpires were ready to be bribed during the recently-concluded Twenty20 World Cup and Sri Lanka Premier League in August.

India TV, which had earlier conducted a sting on corruption in India’s domestic circuit, has come up with footage showing six umpires from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka willing to give wrong decisions during a game.

The umpires are Nadeem Ghauri and Anees Siddiqui of Pakistan, Nadir Shah of Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka’s Gamini Dissanayake, Maurice Winston and Sagara Gallage.

Among the officials interrogated on camera, only Shah and fellow Bangladeshi Sharfudoullah Ibne Shahid represent the current umpire panel of the International Cricket Council (ICC). The channel, however, claimed that Sharfudoullah refused to give any favour in lieu of money offered by the undercover reporters.

But Shah, who has officiated in 40 One Day Internationals and three T20 Internationals, was ready to fix any match at international or domestic level.

Shah also revealed that Pakistani batsman Nasir Jamshed “fixed” matches in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), the channel said.

In another video of the sting, Sri Lankan umpire Gallage agreed to leak information on the pitch, weather, toss, and the playing XIs of India and Pakistan ahead of their World Twenty20 warm-up match on September 17 for Rs.50,000. He was the fourth umpire in the game.

Dissanayake went a step ahead as he claimed that by providing liquor to Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC) officials, one can get any work done.

During the reporter’s conversation with Ghauri, a former ICC umpire from Pakistan, the latter promised to do anything for a payment. He has officiated in 43 ODIS and 14 Tests, with his last international game being in November 2010.

The channel said Ghauri’s countryman Siddiqui was also ready to get a decision in favour of India for money. Anees promised that he would manage the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to accept a decision favourable to India. (Source: gulfnews)

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Comments - 68

ALI BAQURI Tuesday, 09 October 2012 08:48 AM

Sri Lanka players and umpires cannot be involved in Match fixing, There are the fighters they want to WIN with HARD WORK. I think umpires Tauffel have given 2 wroung decience against west Indians in faver of Sri Lanka inFinals I cannot belive the umpires can fix the Match when there are not umpireing. ITS A BULLSHIT STORY OF INDIAN MEDIA

academic Tuesday, 09 October 2012 09:21 AM

Rohana, according to you the whole world is full of LTTE supporters!!

Wake up and try to get some common sense and intelligence, you idiot.

academic Tuesday, 09 October 2012 09:19 AM

All form south asia BUT what south asian country is NOT involved?? INDIA! India did the sting operation and found corruption by sri lankan,s pakistanis and bangladeshi umpires only.

Maybe that might not have happened if India had managed to get into the T20 Semi Final (without losing to Pakistan!) and had a chance to win this world cup also!!

ball Tuesday, 09 October 2012 09:11 AM

VISSAi VISsay
Redda Us-say,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Calee Fernando Tuesday, 09 October 2012 09:03 AM

don't let umpires to play the game.

Sanga Tuesday, 09 October 2012 09:01 AM

1. Indians were very sure that we will win the World Cup
2. They prepared this bogus story after their own defeat hoping to put it out after our victory to dilute.
3.We did not win BUT since they spent so much fabricating, they thought that they might as well go ahead with the story to get publicity.

So relax guys; these Indians will go to any extent.

manjula Tuesday, 09 October 2012 08:59 AM

This is a conspiracy of Indians B,coz Srilanka cricket is mighty than india team,,,

silva Tuesday, 09 October 2012 08:54 AM

The Secretary of the SLC says there is absolutely no corruption . He should become a professional comedian.

Sareek Tuesday, 09 October 2012 08:54 AM

I.c.c is the face of b.c.c.i

Ragunath Tuesday, 09 October 2012 10:09 AM

I am with you. If it is on the video then concerned boards or ICC should investigate and punish the culprits. Approaching the incident emotionally is not going to get us anywhere!

speedTrain Tuesday, 09 October 2012 08:38 AM

Discgusting news for sport in SL, u cant enjoy the game with open heart.

shark Tuesday, 09 October 2012 12:00 AM

why is the Indian media highlighting the news of the umpires involved in match fixing scam? why not they look into the six Indian players who are involved in spot fixing according to the news.... via DM Android App

Tamilan Tuesday, 09 October 2012 08:12 AM

As I can see Sri lankans always blame others for the attrocities comitted by them. This mentality led them to war over 30 years. I can see they never change. Now they are blaming indian media for what their umpires did. As long as these culprits are protected, these kind activities will continue. If you want real cricket and sportsmenship to be devoloped in the country then punish the culprits,.Do not blame media for finding the truth. No matter which nationals are behind the scene we have to find the truth for the sake of cricket.

pasha Tuesday, 09 October 2012 07:46 AM

when questionable lbws were given favour of some team, I thought this was coming

Chams Tuesday, 09 October 2012 07:40 AM

I am very very surprised that none of the Indians are involved in this!

The entire world knows where all this started, prevails and getting patronized!

Incredibly strange!

mohan Tuesday, 09 October 2012 07:37 AM

The jingoistic reactions to a news item is really funny...It shows how jingoism can kill reason and logic..If this is a cooked up story the umpires can sue the channel for defamation ..the comments that India as a nation is behind this sting operation is really pathetic..avail the help of a shrink!

Ravi Tuesday, 09 October 2012 07:23 AM

IF OUR GUYS DO IT, THEY WILL AT LEAST ASK FOR RS. 500,000. WHAT CAN U DO WITH 50,000 NOW.

ALL FABRICATED STORIES TO PUT A STOP TO SLPL

chanaka Tuesday, 09 October 2012 12:01 PM

As Calistus J. And Sanga said, THIS IS PURE INDIAN DRAMA, SLs live in gulf know this very well, thank god these Indians dont play Rugby,,,,,,

rohan Wednesday, 10 October 2012 03:34 AM

Indians are so damn insecure that SLPL will become more popular than IPL. This is why BCCI did not allow Indian players to participate in SLPL. A tournament of this nature will become more popular in Sri Lanka cause we have so much to offer the visitors in terms of entertainment culminated with leisure travel, India used the war to sideline Sri Lanka and deny opportunities in the past. Now they will resort to different tactics

sunilhere Wednesday, 10 October 2012 03:18 AM

do u think this will happen? they will never wake up?

amkoon1 Wednesday, 10 October 2012 03:18 AM

Priests like you should not comment on these sports activities.

Mahendra Wednesday, 10 October 2012 01:17 AM

Umpires has little chance of fixing matches these days as modern technology has taken over most of these decisions. Even an LBW is now a days reproduced and analysed Elecrtronocally is near accurate. With a huge spectatorship it's almost impossible to give wrong decisions, this a just a stupid theory!

Puswedilla Wednesday, 10 October 2012 01:01 AM

This is serious violation of human rights in sri lanka. UN must immediately send task force and pass a resolution condemning such acts.

Captain Morgan Tuesday, 09 October 2012 06:03 PM

May be all these alleged umpires said "No Thanks" to Indian hookers. Now, the Pimp bosses who lost out are also crying. with the sorry losers of the Indian team. These Indian morons deserved to be nuked by the Chinese. I wish we could create a Cuban type of missile crisis here in Sri Lanka and hush these Indian jackals for good.

DAVID Tuesday, 09 October 2012 12:22 PM

Common sense should prevail. Don't bash the Indian media by saying silly things. It's too childish. We should make an effort to find out the truth. If our umpires are guilty punish them to discourage other following them.This is what happens when leaders are corrupt.

Tamilan Tuesday, 09 October 2012 12:20 PM

If you continue to blame others for your mistakes then the sri lankan cricket will suffer not the indian media. At least
India has better press freedom than Sri lankan media. Do not come to a conclusion before proper investigation has been done. We have a culture in Sri lanka that we always blame others for our own problems If continue this we will be the victims not the others.

Paul Condon- ICC Tuesday, 09 October 2012 07:06 AM

It is very sad...I never thought Srilankan umpires will do such a thing...The Srilankan players,umpires and rest of the people will never ever do such a thing...They act against Bribery and Corruption...So many culprits are behind the bars...Srilanka have a good track record.
The Srilanka Cricket board is the best of the best...Corruption and Bribery is Zero...I have to thank Upali and Nishantha one of the best gentlemen I have spoken to...They are upright with good character...They have zero tolerance for sex,corruption n bribery...

AJI Tuesday, 09 October 2012 11:01 AM

Stupid Indian have done it again...as they always do...What a nation...Please keep it up...Stupid Indians.

Ruwan Tuesday, 09 October 2012 10:54 AM

Hey hold on...this article says "Gallage had recommended Dela Zilwa's name to the India TV undercover reporter. For the crucial T20 World Cup match on September 17 between Australia and England" now where in the word Australia met England in the world cup..DM, can u explain?? or anyone?? u people seems to be just copy and pasting news from Times of India. stupidity at its best.

Ruwan Tuesday, 09 October 2012 10:48 AM

Hey its a fact.

Ruwan Tuesday, 09 October 2012 10:47 AM

Ok sir. thank you. go and jump to a lake.

Lobo Tuesday, 09 October 2012 10:46 AM

Sanoon, dont jump the gun man! This is propaganda from India to hide their embarrassing exit from the tournament and blame SL for it.

people voice Tuesday, 09 October 2012 10:34 AM

everywhere and everything corrupted.no wonder why this world is suffering so much.corruption becomes way of life and no intergrity and self gidnity.shame on all the corrupt politicians,players,puplic and private servents etc.

silent whisper Tuesday, 09 October 2012 10:22 AM

Indian's hopes got shattered. Looking for publicity...

zion Tuesday, 09 October 2012 12:21 AM

It's a disgrace and shame brought by the Srilankan umpires to the cricket loving nation (SL).

Patriot Tuesday, 09 October 2012 02:37 AM

Oh Inida oh India oh India...why try to implicate other Asian nations of match fixing, when it is in your back yard that many of the well known book makers are being bred and the most high profile match fixing scandals have come to light to date.

Doctor who!! Tuesday, 09 October 2012 02:27 AM

MONEY money money - when its coming its HONEY, when its got caught, sorry its FUNNY...........

Dhammaloka Tuesday, 09 October 2012 02:24 AM

We have to wait till they were proven guilty. When ever things go wrong... India comes up with something like this. Take it easy.

Nimal Tuesday, 09 October 2012 02:25 AM

This is really work of LTTE media and they wants to give disrespect to Sri Lanka Cricket. Recently, Tamil Nadu LTTE supporters sent Sri Lanka School Boy, football team from Tamil Nadu. Most of the LTTE supporting news reporters and journalists also working under ICC. This is well known secret also

Rohana Tuesday, 09 October 2012 02:15 AM

This is the work of LTTE and LTTE supporters. Last 30 years we saw how BBC Tamil news readers and reported acted against Sri Lanka and given bad reputation of Sri Lanka, this is well known secret also. Even ICC also full of Tamil LTTE support reporters working and these Tamil LTTE reporters always wants to give bad reputation to Sri Lanka

ruwan Tuesday, 09 October 2012 12:00 AM

This is utter crap.just trying to get publicity.no Indians ha... via DM Android App

iqi Tuesday, 09 October 2012 01:38 AM

Lets find who does the bribing before who is prepeared to accept the bribes. Any," legal bets" it's the INDIANS offering the bribe

lari Tuesday, 09 October 2012 12:34 AM

alligations are vague. it doesnt say they took bribe....looks trying to cook a story ...this what I feel. may be true or not ..

R.Sunthar Tuesday, 09 October 2012 02:59 AM

Is another chapter being opened. And this time in Royal sports with a mass appeal.

kandykolla Monday, 08 October 2012 08:17 PM

Umpires from Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh !! Released by an Indian media ...........What about India then ?? oh....they are saints arn`t they ?? Not only in cricket these fellows are real pain for the region !!

AMAR Monday, 08 October 2012 06:58 PM

I URGE ALL THOSE WHO ARE BELIEVING THE STORY TO WATCH THE VIDEO..! SHAME...! TOTALLY SHAME AND OUR UMPIRES HAVE SHAMED THE COUNTRY..! GALLAGE, DISSANAYAKE OPENLY AGREE TO FIX THE MATCHES..! INDIAN NEWS CHANNEL MAKING MOCKERY OF THE COUNTRY...! WE CAN.T BLAME THEM...!

Sanoon Monday, 08 October 2012 12:00 AM

it's really sad news....:( via DM Android App

sayan Monday, 08 October 2012 04:39 PM

all of them r unfamous umpires and full stop for there carrier!

josh Monday, 08 October 2012 04:35 PM

indians trying to cover up the news of their world cup loss by bringing out false news.. they investigate Sri Lankan, Pakistani and bangladesh umpires but not a single indian umpire.. ayyo salli..

Mafaz Monday, 08 October 2012 04:33 PM

SLC administration exposed yet one more time? Are we just going to keep on commenting (as usual)our anger here or other social networks or take some real action against these culprits...?

observer Monday, 08 October 2012 04:21 PM

most probably some wild bullshit story of indian media, seeking some cheap publicity... not the first time they've done something of the sort...

Nakoula Tuesday, 09 October 2012 05:36 AM

Sri Lanka players and umpires cannot be involved in match-fixing. Why? Because they are from Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan players and people are most friendly people with worlds best smile. This alone means that Sri Lankans cannot be involved in match-fixing or cheating.

Koralalage Tuesday, 09 October 2012 07:06 AM

This is mainly Indian team could not win and there is not much Indian umpires.

kumar Tuesday, 09 October 2012 06:55 AM

Sri Lanka is the country, which protects war criminals, rapists, drug dealers, murderers in the name of patriotism. There is no place for honest and straight froward people here. So the Sri Lankan Umpire need not to worry. The people are there to protect him from any International allegations. Even if caught red handed, the allegation will be completely denied.

glaker Tuesday, 09 October 2012 06:44 AM

This is serious.. Lets cut the emotions out, if its on tape then there is proof and it could damage the reputation of the country. I would not want to find fault with anyone till its proved beyond doubt, but in case it is true these people are traitors and should be dealt with severely.

DHA Tuesday, 09 October 2012 06:39 AM

So much of bookies involved now watching cricket is almost like watching a tele-drama......

Imran Hussein Tuesday, 09 October 2012 06:19 AM

By hook or by crook India wants to win. They cannot tolarate that they been kicked out of the tournament before reaching the semis. Finding excuses now.

prasad Tuesday, 09 October 2012 05:51 AM

India got angry with SL as always.

They want to take revange for the deffeet they experience in T20 and contracts given to China. Let them say bila and ask them to prove it !!

Marikkar Tuesday, 09 October 2012 05:56 AM

In the concluded ICC T20 India was not in the Big Picture. Therefore, simply they are trying to tell to the world that the tournament was corrupted and that’s why we did not strive hard in the tournament. This is really nonsense.

Nakoula Tuesday, 09 October 2012 05:43 AM

yes. This is false story from India to discredit the friendly people of Sri Lanka. I think Sri Lankan people did not smile enough at Indian people and that is why these allegations are coming. Sri Lankans must fight this poreign interference in their affairs.

Hal Monday, 08 October 2012 04:17 PM

All from Asia. Sad.

H.F. Tuesday, 09 October 2012 05:23 AM

It's funny how only Indian people are not involved but all other Asian countries. You should not get carried away with this until it's proven! Because it's a news from INDIA.

Warren Tuesday, 09 October 2012 05:08 AM

Filthy Indian garbage.. This is some cooked up story that they made to defame the rest of the nations to distract people from their loss and even the corruption allegations on their players. Isn't it just odd that no India umpires are named here?? Although I can not be a 100% sure that our guys are not involved I am more than willing to give them the benefit of the doubt because Indians are capable of anything, they are scum. Give me one example of any other nation in the world that likes India.. No one !!!

Calistus Jayatilleke Tuesday, 09 October 2012 04:53 AM

Sour grapes by India. Indian media is well known for this type of sensational trash just like the one they spread about an ex-Sri lankan captain involved with a third-grade obscure Indian model/film star and thereafter nobody heard anything about it. This is obviously aftermath of Indian team's humiliating exit from the T-20 just concluded.

Chamal Tuesday, 09 October 2012 12:00 AM

I can't believe this hope Dharmasena is not involved in this but then again he's the only Sri Lankan umpire in the tournament... This is really disappointing via DM Android App

Hal Tuesday, 09 October 2012 03:51 AM

All miracles happen in a miracle island. In the miracle island they type of corruption is normal day to day life.

Al Rasa Tuesday, 09 October 2012 03:50 AM

Now there is a pressing need of taking the game out of commercialization. In the presentation ceremony at the conclusion of final T20 match W I player Samuel who turned the game because of muck bowling of Malinga who put the country SECOND by retiring from Test cricked (when it needs bowlers) to concentrate on limited over games due to limited spell of bowling , said that he (Samuel) likes test cricket as best cricket. So it is the time for ICC to scrap limited over games to maintain the dignity of Cricket. See even moral wise all youngsters having drunk liquor and doing many acrobatics and misbehaving in the ground. What a pity?????

R.Sunthar Tuesday, 09 October 2012 03:01 AM

Another chapter is being opened. This time in the Royal sports with a mass appeal.

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Video: SL umpires involved in match-fixing-Report

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