The International Cricket Council has decided to hold the appeal hearings of the tainted Pakistani trio Salman Butt, Muhammad Amir and Muhammad Asif, suspended after they were alleged of spot-fixing, in Qatar instead of London.
The ICC had notified the lawyers of the three players in writing about the venue and dates, likely between October 30 and 31, for the appeal hearings, sources told PTI .
As per reports, the hearings were earlier scheduled in London but some of the alleged cricketers requested the ICC to shift the venue, saying the British media is not in support of players.
The cricketing body had provisionally suspended Butt, Amir and Asif under the code of conduct soon after a British tabloid accused the trio of being involved with bookies in a spot-fixing scam during a Lord’s Test against England in August.
A source said that Michael Beloff QC, a prominent U.K. barrister, will head an independent tribunal, which will hear the appeals of the players.
However, the lawyer of Salman Butt has requested the ICC to bring the dates of the hearing forward, source said.
“The lawyer for Salman Butt feels that the dates of October 30 and 31 are too late and has requested the ICC to hold the hearings at an earlier date.”
All three players are represented by different lawyers and are bearing the legal expenses themselves since the Pakistan Cricket Board has denied footing their bills since they are alleged to have violated the anti-corruption codes.
