Pakistani cricket scandal: who is really in the wrong? (From York Press)
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Pakistani cricket scandal: who is really in the wrong?
12:50pm Thursday 2nd September 2010 in
LIKE most of us, I was shocked to learn of the cricket scandal, and the suggestion that players were willing to cheat during a match.
However, these young men come from a country where crippling poverty is the norm, where any chance to make extra cash may be grabbed, however irregular this may be.
The true villains are the low life who allegedly offered money to the players, knowing they would be tempted beyond endurance.
I have no idea what sort of money is paid to cricketers in that corrupt country, but I would bet my life it is peanuts against the obscene sums paid to cricketers from other countries, including our own.
Of course, they should be punished for their sins, but they are no more guilty than the many in this country who think they are entitled to cheat the benefit system. “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone” is a telling phrase, often forgotten when we condemn weakness in others.
Heather Causnett, Escrick Park Gardens, Escrick, York.
• THERE is a lot of interest in the alleged crimes of the Pakistan players, but there appears to be one gigantic omission from the condemnations being published.
Offences of this nature require at least two parties – the receiver of the money and the paymaster. This is not the first occasion in which this publication appears to have caused a crime to be committed.
To the best of my knowledge, this is conspiracy and carries a mandatory prison sentence on conviction. I cannot understand why the News Of The World and its staff and management have not been prosecuted.
There appears to be another conspiracy here.
K Barnes, North View, Catterton.
• NOT for the first time, Pakistani cricket stands accused of the most serious charges of bad behaviour, cheating, corruption and bringing the great game of cricket into disrepute. This time it is of illegal betting practices and trying to obtain gains from betting organisations via fraudulent actions.
If these allegations are proven, all of the accused must be banned for life, and Pakistan should be suspended from the ICC for several years, as a suitable punishment and as a deterrent to anyone else thinking of pursuing such vile actions.
David Quarrie, Lynden Way, Holgate, York.
Comments(3)
lacypaperdevil
says...
8:57pm Thu 2 Sep 10
One thing you forgot to mention is the alleged harbouring of terrorists yet showing the seeming inability to deal with it - against the wishes of several countries that provide aid to them.
And now they ask for more money?
I wouldn't mind if anything donated was given to the people that need it, however I fear that this would not be the case.
Cold_as_Christmas
says...
1:58am Fri 3 Sep 10
The links between terrorism and Pakistan are undisputed. How long will it be before we find some of that aid cash has gone into the pockets of the big shots. It might explain why aid has not reached some parts unlike the corruption which has 'reached the parts others can not!'!
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Cold_as_Christmas says...
8:25pm Thu 2 Sep 10
This is not the first time Pakistan has been in trouble with the international Cricket authorities regarding players integrity. Indeed, following the untimely death of former Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer, the Pakistan authorities were crying racism while after the team's defeat in the West Indies to the Irish Republic, Pakistan fans could be heard shouting 'Death to Bob Woolmer.' (I wonder if they threw that match too?)
I recently learned that the Pakistani Government had refused to allow British troops on the ground to help distribute aid! How can they justify that?
This is a country where Military dictator General Zia had former Prime Minister and political rival; Ali Bhutto hanged in 1979, the General himself was assassinated in a plane crash nine years later. More recently Bhutto's daughter was also assassinated during an election campaign.
While we moan at our own country there is an awful lot wrong with Pakistan. Just perhaps through the high profile game of Cricket people can see more clearly what sort of a country it really is. A failed state for certain and because of their very own terror threat they can't even host a home Cricket series. The New Zealand team had to cut back their tour of Pakistan in 2002 after a bomb explosion and the final straw came when the Sri Lankan team coach came under attack from gunmen allowed to fire automatic weapons at will.
Why do you think the News of the World offered the bate? Because they knew full well some Pakistani Cricketers would take it.
Since the UK tax payer has spent and is spending an absolute fortune on Pakistan, year on year, isn't it about time people questioned it?
Take it or leave it but those are the facts.