Sawani named ICC anti-corruption units chief investigator

Former Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) joint-director of special crimes, Ravi Sawani, has been appointed the new chief investigator and general manager of the International Cricket Councils (ICC) Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU).

Mumbai, Nov 9 : Former Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) joint-director of special crimes, Ravi Sawani, has been appointed the new chief investigator and general manager of the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU).

Sawani, 57, takes over from Jeff Rees, who is retiring after holding the post since the inception of the ACSU in 2000.

Sawani was part of the CBI team set up in 2000 to inquire into the corruption charges against prominent cricketers.

ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said Sawani's experience of working in India would help the sport's governing body in their drive to eradicate corruption in cricket.

"First as a senior police official and second being the key man in key part of cricket history in corruption with the CBI in 2000, these are the outstanding credentials," Speed said.

He further said that Sawani's appointment will be beneficial because "we get some local knowledge into the biggest betting market in the world cricket, excellent network within India."

Sawani, who begins his role next week, will work alongside ACSU chairman Paul Condon, three investigators and five regional security managers.

"We bring together with Paul Condon what best of England has to offer and what India has to offer. So, there are many positives. I am delighted that Ravi has agreed," Speed said.

Sawani said his experience of heading the CBI team during the 2000 match fixing inquiry will give help him overcome various issues concerning match fixing.

In 2000, Indian police unearthed a match-fixing scandal that led to a life ban from cricket for the then South Africa skipper Hansie Cronje. Several other international players were also named in the inquiry.

In an internal inquiry in the same year, the Indian cricket board found former captain Mohammad Azharuddin guilty of corruption and banned him for life. Five-year bans were handed to Ajay Jadeja and Manoj Prabhakar.

In February 2007, the West Indies cricket board said it would hold an investigation once they receive details from the ICC or the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

ANI