Cricket umpire banned over involvement in betting scandal

Pakistani cricket umpire Asad Rauf has been handed a five-year ban by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over his involvement in an illegal betting scandal surrounding the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 tournament.

The scandal impacted the 2013 season of the club competition has also led to life bans for three players who were involved in the tournament, while the Chennai and Rajasthan were initially given two-year bans from the IPL after key officials were found guilty of illegal betting.

Rauf, who last officiated an international match in 2013, was named by Mumbai Police in the investigation, but his lawyer maintained his innocence throughout.

However, the BCCI on Friday announced that the umpire had been found guilty of facilitating betting, disclosing inside information and receiving gift or payment that brought the game into disrepute, and will face a five-year ban.

“Mr Asad Rauf has been banned for a period of five years from umpiring or playing or representing cricket in any form or anyway being associated with the activities of the Board and its Affiliates,” the BCCI said in a statement.

Related article: Supreme Court panel backs legalised betting in India