Cairns hits out at 'complete lie'

Chris Cairns
Chris Cairns
Former New Zealand test cricketer Chris Cairns said this afternoon he stands by his earlier comment that match-fixing allegations against him are "a complete lie".

The New Zealand Herald, citing multiple sources, named Cairns today as player X, the figure at the centre of match fixing allegations which have surfaced in a leaked interviews from New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum and former player Lou Vincent to the International Cricket Council's anti-corruption unit.

Cairns said in a statement this afternoon he would prove the allegations to be wrong.

‘‘However, I think it is very dangerous to try to do this through the media and court of public opinion, where it is impossible to present all the information and facts."

He said "barely one side of the story" was in the public domain.

"I just ask people to remember that, as yet, the ICC have still not so much as interviewed me. There is a long journey ahead."

Earlier, in a statement to Fairfax Media, Cairns said the allegations against him were "a complete lie."

"I am aware that former cricketer Lou Vincent and current New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum have made a range of allegations against a cricketer dubbed Player X," Cairns' statement said.

"It is well known that the ICC/ACSU has been investigating allegations of corruption and my name has been linked by others to these allegations. I am being asked whether I am Player X.

"Based on the limited information I have received during this investigation, I believe it is being alleged that I am that player. These allegations against me are a complete lie."

Cairns said he had repeatedly asked the ICC/ACSU to produce copies of Lou Vincent's and Brendon McCullum's statements so that he can respond.

Vincent and McCullum have both alleged incidents involving match fixing with McCullum saying it was a hero of his who approached him.

"As for Lou Vincent he appears to have confessed to match fixing in respect of games played in numerous countries around the world, most of which I have had no connection to. He is in a desperate position. He faces potential prosecution and in trying to negotiate a plea bargain he appears to be willing to falsely accuse me of wrongdoing.

"As for Brendon McCullum I have no understanding why he would say the things he is alleged to have said. To be clear, I have never approached Brendon, or anyone else, about match fixing or any other improper activity.

"I am doing everything I can to get to the bottom of these allegations."

Cairns said he was yet to be interviewed by the ICC since his name was first publicly linked to this fixing allegation in December last year.

The full extent of his involvement, he said, was a half day interview with the UK Metropolitan Police in New Zealand which wasn't completed because the police had to return to the UK.

 

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