Gulam Bodi gets 20 year ban
Former opening batsman of the Titans, Lions and Proteas, Gulam Bodi, was banned for 20 years from all cricket after he was convicted of attempts to fix matches in a local tournament.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has imposed a ban of 20 years on Gulam Bodi for attempting to fix matches in the 2015 local Ram Slam T20 Challenge Series.
Bodi was charged with several counts of contriving or attempting to fix matches on 31 December 2015 after an investigation by CSA’s anti-corruption and security unit.
Under the provisions of the anti-corruption code for personnel, Bodi had until 18 January 2016 to respond to the charges.
Bodi is immediately banned for 20 years from participating in, or being involved in any capacity in, any international or domestic match or any other kind of function, event or activity (other than authorized anti-corruption education or rehabilitation programmes) that is authorised, organised, sanctioned, recognised or supported in any way by CSA, the ICC, a national cricket federation or any member of a national cricket federation.
Five of those years are suspended on condition that Bodi commits no further offences under the code and demonstrates to CSA’s reasonable satisfaction that he has actively and constructively participated in corruption-related player education programmes when asked to do so.
“CSA thoroughly considered all the relevant factors and determined that a lengthy ban was appropriate,” said CSA chief executive, Haroon Lorgat.
“Our attitude to corruption will always be one of zero tolerance. There is no doubt that Mr Bodi’s actions have threatened the integrity and image of the game that we love and he must be handed a strong punishment. We have had many discussions with Mr Bodi and he accepts the folly of his actions,” added Lorgat.
“We are fortunate in this instance that several players rejected his approaches and, as a direct result of our integrity processes, which include CSA and SACA player education programmes, the matter was brought to light and meticulously investigated.
“There are no winners in this sort of ill-fated and unfortunate matter. However, all of us in the cricket community must learn from this experience and remain vigilant. We expect that that Mr Bodi himself will learn and will actively assist us in reminding players of the dangers of corrupt behaviour,” Lorgat concluded.
Since certain aspects of the investigation are ongoing, neither CSA nor the ICC will make any further comment on the matter.
Many have expressed their views on the matter on Twitter:
Is #gulambodi being criminally charged? Why did he not get a lifetime ban like Hansie? Are others implicated too? @MarcoBotha @TelfordVice
— James Styan (@jamesstyan) January 26, 2016
Gulam Bodi's ban is so thorough, I'm pretty sure he can't even watch cricket on tv. pic.twitter.com/RmWiNOf9j7
— Gugulethu Mhlungu (@GugsM) January 25, 2016
https://twitter.com/Dommisse/status/688391374836776962
Blame this South Africa loss on Gulam Bodi #MatchFixing #Proteas
— Raihaan🇵🇸 (@the_Great_Paali) January 16, 2016
https://twitter.com/RyanNaicker/status/691882290067193857
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram.
- We have exciting news! We’re offering a free alert to help you always be in the loop. Send an email with the word ‘Subscribe’ to breakingnews@rekord.co.za to receive your free daily breaking news update.
