Pawar demands action against tainted trio if found guilty

New Delhi: Former BCCI president Sharad Pawar on Thursday demanded "strict action" against three cricketers allegedly involved in spot-fixing in the IPL if they are found guilty, saying such incidents bring "disrepute" to the game.

What is Spot-fixing in cricket?» | Fixing Timeline» "Somebody who associates himself with match-fixing, I think strict action should be taken against these set of players. They bring disrepute to the game and the nation. BCCI should take strict action against the players involved in fixing. The Board should work towards bringing a permanent end to this problem," Pawar said here. In a sensational development, Indian pacer S Sreesanth and two of his Rajasthan Royals teammates were today arrested on charges of spot-fixing, throwing the cash-rich Indian Premier League into a massive crisis. A special cell of the Delhi police arrested Sreesanth and his teammates -- Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan -- along with seven bookies last night after their team`s IPL match against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai. While Sreesanth was picked up in Delhi from his friend`s residence, Chavan and Chandila were arrested from the team hotel at Nariman Point in Mumbai. The cricketers and bookies have been charged under sections 420 (cheating) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code and are being flown in to Delhi for further questioning. Pawar said the BCCI took the right decision by suspending the three players pending further inquiry into the matter. "I saw on TV that the BCCI has suspended these players, it`s a correct decision taken by them but they should not stop here. "Even after suspension, they (BCCI) should hold an inquiry into the matter, they should check whether other players are involved in fixing or not and such set of players should be banned from playing for life. "Until and unless, such a harsh decision was taken, these incidents will not stop. IPL has given them the financial stability and even after that, some players get themselves involved in a wrong act like match-fixing. It`s not acceptable," he added. Pawar said it was unfortunate to see players indulging in corruption despite getting good contracts from their franchises. "The IPL has given an opportunity to domestic players to show their mettle. It has not only given them opportunities to play with some of the best players in the world but also the substantial financial support. Even after that, some players seem to be indulging in such activity," he said. PTI