Banned Shalabh Srivastava maintains innocence – Cricket News Update
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shalabh-Srivastava-c2495, who was recently handed a 5-year ban from the sport owing to his alleged involvement in match-fixing, has refused to waver from his stance, maintaining that he is innocent, and has been treated unfairly.
“I still maintain that I am innocent and I have not got justice,” Srivastava said in a conversation with the Telegraph. “When I spoke to the BCCI officials, I told them that I have never been involved in any match-fixing. I told them that I haven't even played in this year's IPL… I thought I would get proper justice and won't be punished as I am innocent.”
Srivastava came into the spotlight after his name cropped up in a sting operation carried out by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 TV during this year’s edition of the Indian Premier League in May. The fast bowlers’ name was one among five players who were revealed to be involved in underhand activities such as match-fixing, spot-fixing, and under-the-table deals for extra, illegal payments in the IPL.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Punjab-c833, though he did not play for them this season, despite having been a regular starter in the 2011 edition of the tournament. He was accused of negotiating a fee for fixing a match over the phone, with the sting operation having offered an audio clip as proof – however, he denied the allegations, insisting that the clip was doctored.
The BCCI established an inquiry committee and anti-corruption unit in response to the incident, and ordered an immediate inquiry. The probe was carried out by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Niranjan-Rasiklal-Shah-c79664 and Arun Jaitley).
The committee found Srivastava guilty of having entered into negotiations to fix a match, although he did not actually go through with it, and issued him a five year ban from cricket. However, the 30-year-old has insisted that he is innocent, and expressed helplessness over the verdict.
“I had injured my knee and was recuperating in Lucknow. How could I have negotiated with someone and promise him to fix matches and bowl no-balls?” he demanded.
“I don't know what to do now that I have been banned for five years,” he added, claiming that he had not considered the possibility of appealing against his ban.
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