Anti-Corruption Unit targets 2003 World Cup

The International Cricket Council's Anti-Corruption Unit is visiting South Africa this week for a series of meetings linked to security planning for the World Cup in 2003, officials said on Sunday.

Lord Condon, director of the unit, will be accompanied by senior investigator Jeff Rees and support manager Bob Smalley during the trip, which runs from Sunday to Thursday.

With a focus on World Cup security and the prevention of corruption, Lord Condon and his team will hold meetings in Johannesburg with Ali Bacher, director of the 2003 tournament, and other officials connected with the event.

"The World Cup in 2003 has always been a significant target date in our drive to eradicate corruption from the international game," Condon said in a statement.

"I am on record as saying that corruption will be at an irreducible minimum by the World Cup in South Africa and I stand by that commitment.

"The main purpose of this visit is to cement already established relationships with the World Cup Security Directorate and to put into action joint security and anti-corruption plans."

The 2003 World Cup has been targeted by Condon's unit particularly after former Pakistan board chief executive Majid Khan and others claimed that some matches in the 1999 World Cup in England were fixed.

Mail Cricket Editor