India's leading newspaper apologised on Thursday for suggesting that a World Cup match between Australia and Zimbabwe was under investigation for match-fixing. The Times of India had claimed that the February 21 match in Ahmedabad was being probed by the International Cricket Council's anti-corruption body.
"We apologise to Australia, Cricket Australia and the ICC for any embarrassment caused by this," the newspaper posted on its website. "We also accept that at no stage has the ICC ever confirmed or suggested the match was fixed." The story, which has since been removed from the website, had prompted ICC chief Haroon Lorgat to slam the claims.
"The article...can only be described as fictional," said Lorgat. "We do not comment on the activities of the ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) and for good reason. "However, after several misleading and downright false stories appearing in recent weeks it is time for us to show our displeasure and expose those responsible for affecting the integrity of the media.
"It is also patently false of the reporter to claim that the ICC ever suggested to it that the match was corrupted. The ICC confirms that, in terms of its policy, at no stage did anyone from the ICC speak to the journalist on this topic." Australia had already dismissed as "laughable" claims that the ICC was investigating the match.
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