“Recently three Pakistani test cricketers, Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, were convicted of conspiracy to cheat at gambling and conspiracy to accept corrupt payments, arising out of Pakistan’s tour of England in 2010. They were sentenced to 30 months, 12 months and 6 months’ imprisonment respectively (Amir having pleaded guilty). Butt has recently filed an appeal against sentence. Regrettably, although it is the first such prosecution in the UK, only a delusional optimist would assume it will be the last. It therefore falls to be considered whether the sentences were justified.”
Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 14th November 2011
Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk