 Mohammad Amir and Salman Butt have said that the punishment meted out to them for the spot-fixing controversy was far too stringent. The two cricketers were banned from playing cricket for five years each apart from the five years that Mohammad Asif was handed over as well. While Amir was not given any suspended sentence, the other two were also afforded an additional two and five years respectively as suspended sentence. This means that if they don't follow the ICC code of conduct, they could be further banned for those many years more.
However, the ICC has said that they were happy with the announcements. The
three-man tribunal's decision to ban the three players for five years, according
to the ICC was not a lenient one as expressed in many quarters. According to
the ICC chief executive, Haroon Lorgat, the image of the game should
get better with this decision.
There were many experts who queried why there were no life bans afforded to
the players including the ICC legal team. There were also questions on why the
two cricketers were given suspended sentences as well instead of full punishments
and that meant that the CEO had some explaining to do.
Lorgat said that the punishments would serve as a notice to those who wanted
to corrupt the game of cricket to remain away from fixing. He said that while
he was saddened that three of the better cricketers in recent times were being
involved. He also said that he was satisfied with the entire proceeding.
The CEO also speculated that given the sentences, it will be very difficult
for the trio to make a comeback. Amir, who is the youngest of the three is 18,
while the others are 26 and 28 respectively - which means that apart from Amir,
the other two may not have a realistic chance of coming back.
What will also be a problem is that the trio have been charged by the British
courts and will be prosecuted. They will need to appear in the court in March
and if found guilty in the trial they will face prison for many years
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