Statement on Waugh/Warne

ICC Media Release December 9, 1998

The Chief Executive of the International Cricket Council Mr David Richards today released the following statement:

"On 28th February 1995, the then Chairman of ICC Sir Clyde Walcott and I attended a routine meeting of the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) in Sydney.

"Following the meeting, the ACB Chairman and Chief Executive advised us on a strictly confidential basis that Mark Waugh and Shane Warne had admitted they had been providing information to a bookmaker on various matters to do with International cricket matches. They advised that ACB had taken action as it was their responsibility to do so and had imposed stringent fines on the two players. They also asked that ICC respect the confidentiality of the matter.

"One of the founding principles on which ICC is based is sovereignty of the Member countries. Historically, each country has had the sole power and responsibility to deal with its own players on matters of discipline. The only exception has been the release of limited powers to the ICC referee under the Code of Conduct which has applied during Test and One Day International matches since 1991.

"It was therefore entirely appropriate in the circumstances for ACB itself to discipline the two players concerned.

"Later in 1995, the Code of Conduct was strengthened by the addition of a provision prohibiting a player from engaging directly or indirectly in betting, gambling or any form of financial speculation on the outcome of any match.

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