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ICC appoint ex-policeman to investigate match-fixing

Roshan Paul

It's finally happened. The ICC has awakened from its slumber and, despite strong objections from Pakistan to the appointment of an Englishman, has appointed a retired chief-of-police as their man to investigate match-fixing. This responsibility falls on Sir Paul Condon, a former head of Metropolitan Police with an excellent record.

Condon is expected to review the findings of the investigations conducted by the Qayyum commission in Pakistan, Justice Chandrachud in India, the O'Reagan report from Australia - including a secret chapter not made public for legal reasons - and the King Commission in South Africa. He will then make whatever further investigations he deems necessary in at attempt to get to the bottom of the whole sordid affair.

One reason for optimism is that since match-fixing is a criminal offence, it will need a policeman's mind to address it. So far, we've had only judges investigating. A policeman brings with him a more street-like approach and a new perspective on the problem may be very useful. Furthermore, match-fixing seems so widespread that independent commissions in various countries may not be quite enough. An over-arching investigation that transcends the jurisdiction of the investigations of individual nations is necessary and long overdue.

It is also interesting to observe that Condon's appointment coincides neatly with the end of Jagmohan Dalmiya's tenure as head of the ICC. Just a coincidence?