Johannesburg: Alviro Petersen, a veteran of 36 Test matches, became the highest-profile South African cricketer to be banned for corruption since former captain Hansie Cronje in 2000.
Former opening batsman Petersen, 36, was banned for two years on Wednesday after agreeing a plea bargain with Cricket South Africa (CSA).
He is the sixth player to be banned following a corruption scandal which led to former international player Gulam Bodi being banned for 20 years for attempting to fix matches in South Africa’s domestic Twenty20 competition during the 2014/15 season.
More players could yet be charged.
A statement by CSA announcing Petersen’s ban said investigations were continuing.
Petersen admitted several breaches of CSA’s anti-corruption code — four charges of failing to disclose details of an approach to engage in corrupt conduct; four charges of failing to disclose full details of evidence involving another player, four charges of failing to provide accurate and complete information to investigators; and one charge of concealing and destroying information that was relevant to the investigation.
After considering representations made by Petersen, CSA withdrew other charges, including those relating to fixing or contriving to fix any match and seeking, accepting or offering to accept any bribe or other reward to fix or influence any match.
The two year-ban will be effective from November 12 this year, when Petersen was suspended because charges were laid against him.
Petersen apologised, according to a CSA statement which quoted him as saying: “I would like to apologise to my family, friends, the public who are fans of the game of cricket, my team-mates, Gauteng cricket, Lions cricket and especially to Cricket South Africa for my actions.” (AFP)
