Petersen apologises after 2-year ban

Cape Town - Former Proteas and Highveld Lions opener Alviro Petersen on Wednesday admitted to 13 breaches of Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) Anti-Corruption Code for Personnel (“the Code”), following the notice of charge issued to him by CSA. 

The charges relate to the 2015 RAM SLAM T20 Challenge Series.

As a result of his admissions, CSA banned Petersen for two years.

Petersen, 36, who previously denied all guilt, issued an apology for his actions.

“I would like to apologise to my family, friends, the public who are fans of the game of cricket, my team-mates, Gauteng cricket, Lions cricket and especially to Cricket South Africa for my actions. At the time that the meetings with (Gulam) Bodi and the fixers happened, I never had any intention of fixing matches or taking money. I now deeply regret having participated in these meetings and not to have immediately reported them to the authorities as I am obliged to do. I understand that I need to take personal responsibility for my actions and I accept the punishment that CSA has imposed on me.  I hope that other players will learn from my experience and be better prepared if they find themselves in the situation that I was in, and that my punishment will serve as a deterrent. I also want to thank my family, friends and my legal team for their unwavering support and guidance during the last few months.”

The ban in terms of CSA’s Anti-Corruption Code prevents Petersen from participating in, or being involved in any capacity in, any international or domestic match or any other kind of function, event or activity (other than authorised anti-corruption education or rehabilitation programmes) that is authorised, organised, sanctioned, recognised or supported in any way by CSA, the ICC, a National Cricket Federation or any member of a National Cricket Federation.

The ban will run for two years from November 12, 2016, which is the date that Petersen was provisionally suspended from participating in all cricketing activities following the notice of charge issued to him by CSA.

Ring-leader Bodi was banned for 20 years for his role in the match-fixing saga, while Jean Symes (7), Pumelela Matshikwe (10), Ethy Mbhalati (10) and Thami Tsolekile (12) were also slapped with lengthy bans.

Petersen played 36 Tests, 21 ODIs and two T20 internationals for the Proteas.