Match-fixing still on, says Lanka official

A high-ranking Sri Lankan cricket official says match-fixing is an ongoing problem despite a crackdown by the sport's international governing body.

"Match-fixing is going on," said Chandra Schaffter, who was fired as manager of the Sri Lanka squad after the recent tour of England.

"I can't elaborate too much on this, but can tell you that the Sri Lankan team is absolutely clean."

Schaffter refused to elaborate on who is involved, where or when match-fixing is occurring or whether he is talking about domestic or international matches.

"It won't be right for me to talk about other teams," he said.

Schaffter, a member of Sri Lanka's ethnic Tamil minority, was also manager of Sri Lanka teams which toured India in 1982 and for the 1999 World Cup in England before be was fired for alleged links with Tamil Tiger rebels fighting for a separate state on the island.

He was reinstated as manager for the England tour by Sri Lanka's new government, which signed a cease-fire agreement with the rebels, but was removed again, which prompted him to declare that Sri Lanka's cricket administration treated him "shabbily".

"Some people want me out because I follow the rules... they may have been match-fixers," said Schaffter, refusing to substantiate his charge.

Match-fixing accusations have tarnished cricket in recent years, forcing the International Cricket Council to appoint a special anti-corruption task force.

Mail Cricket Editor