Banned Butt says ready for anti-corruption rehab

LAHORE, Pakistan (AFP) –

Former Pakistan cricket captain Salman Butt arrives at Westminster Magistrates' court in central London, March 17, 2011

File picture shows former Pakistan cricket captain Salman Butt arrives at Westminster Magistrates’ court in central London on March 17, 2011. Butt said Wednesday he had offered to take part in anti-corruption rehab a week after an international court threw out his appeal against a spot-fixing ban.

Pakistan’s former captain Salman Butt said Wednesday he had offered to take part in anti-corruption rehab a week after an international court threw out his appeal against a spot-fixing ban.

The 28-year-old, along with team-mates Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer, was banned for contriving deliberate no-balls for cash during the 2010 Lord’s Test against England.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2011 banned Butt for 10 years, with five suspended on the condition that he commits no further offences and takes part in a programme of anti-corruption education.

Asif received a seven year ban with two suspended while Aamer got five years.

The trio and their agent Mazhar Majeed were jailed by a British court in November 2011. All three players were released last year.

Butt appealed to the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sports for a reduction in his five-year ban but his application was rejected.

Butt met Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials late Tuesday to discuss his rehabilitation programme.

“I have offered my availability for the rehabilitation and whenever the PCB wanted me to appear I will be ready,” Butt told AFP.

ICC chief executive David Richardson on Tuesday urged the banned players to apologise in public, start rehabilitation and share any information they have on fixing to help the game fight the biggest menace it has faced for years.

Butt refused to comment on Richardson’s statement and his directives to feature in ICC’s educational videos to help future generations to avoid the pitfalls.

Aamer, who pleaded guilty in Britain, featured in an ICC educational video last year and also attended lectures from psychologist Maqbool Sabri.

Butt said last week he was hopeful about making a career comeback after serving out the reminder of his ban.

PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf has also hinted that the banned players will be allowed to feature in first-class matches and their performances will be monitored.