Cricket -> Cricket News -> Report

Scotland Yard arrest Cronje 'paymaster'
Jan 14, 2001, 17:00 Hrs (IST)

London: Police officers from Scotland Yard have arrested the alleged paymaster of disgraced South African cricketer Hansie Cronje as they investigate allegations of match-fixing, it emerged on Sunday.

Sanjeev Chawla, a 33-year-old from north London, was arrested by officers from the Met Police's Serious and Organised Crime Group early on December 13 and was interviewed at a central London police station before being released on bail.

Scotland Yard launched an investigation after an allegation of "attempted corruption" was reported by a player to the England and Wales Cricket Board on August 3 1999.

"A 33-year-old man was arrested at his home in north London. Officers from the Met's Serious and Organised Crime Group interviewed him at a central London police station. He was subsequently released on bail to return on a date in January," said a police spokeswoman. She added that the man arrested was not a player or an official.

The arrest came after sacked South African cricket captain Cronje admitted receiving money from Chawla during the final Test against England at Centurion Park, Pretoria, South Africa, last January. England won the match by two wickets after Cronje had forfeited South Africa's second innings.

Sir Paul Condon, head of the International Cricket Council's anti-corruption team, pledged last month to interview all players named in the 162-page Central Bureau of Investigation report.

According to 'The Observer' newspaper police now hope to interview Cronje as they pursue their enquiries.

"From a witness point of view, Hansie Cronje could be very helpful to our enquiries. There is a lot more to uncover yet," the paper quoted one officer as saying.

Copyright AFP 2000