Disgraced former New Zealand cricketer Lou Vincent has admitted match-fixing and is ready to accept any punishment he receives.
The 35-year-old Vincent had previously said he was cooperating with anti-corruption officials from both the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) relating to allegations of his involvement in the spot-fixing of dozens of matches.
He was charged by the ECB under its anti-corruption code last month and is expected to receive a lifetime ban from the sport. He was also banned by the Bangladesh Cricket Board for three years for failing to report an approach from match fixers.
“My name is Lou Vincent and I am a cheat,” the former top-order batsman said in a statement issued to local media on Tuesday. “I have abused my position as a professional sportsman on a number of occasions by choosing to accept money through fixing.”
“I have lived with this dark secret for many years, but just months ago I reached the point where I decided I had to come forward and tell the truth,” he said.
“It’s a truth that has rightly caused uproar and controversy in New Zealand and around the world,” he added, before going on to describe the distress he felt for his behavior.
“I have shamed my country. I have shamed my sport. I have shamed those close to me. For that I am not proud. I lost faith in myself and the game. I abused the game I love. I had to put things right,” he said. “Speaking out. Exposing the truth. Laying bare the things I have done wrong is the only way I can find to begin to put things right. The time has come for me to now face them like a man and accept the consequences, whatever they may be. I accept my punishment.”
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