Boje denies match-fixing charges

Nicky Boje with Delhi police officials after being questioned over the 2000 match-fixing scandal © AFP

Nicky Boje, the former South Africa left-arm spinner, has denied all charges of his alleged involvement in the 2000 match-fixing scandal. He was questioned for two hours by officials of the Delhi police's crime branch, the agency handling the investigation.

"Boje denied his role in the match-fixing scandal and so questions on all relevant aspects of the case were asked," Rajan Bhagat, a police spokesperson, told AFP.

"We have interrogated him on all aspects of the case," Satyendra Garg, the chief of the Crime Branch, said. "Whatever questions we wanted to ask him, we have done that and we will now conduct further enquiries."

In a statement released from the Indian Cricket League, with whom he is contracted, Boje said: "I was called in for questioning in an old matter by the Delhi police. I met up with them and have responded to the queries raised by them. I look forward to continue playing in the ICL Twenty20 tournament presently under way at Tau Devi Lal Stadium, Panchkula."

Boje arrived at the Delhi Police Officers' Mess accompanied by a senior official of the South African High Commission, who left the building once the questioning began around 11 am.

He had been issued a notice by the Delhi police on December 5 to make himself available for questioning about his alleged involvement in the match-fixing scandal, news of which broke after South Africa's tour to India in 2000. Boje responded immediately, saying he would cooperate in the probe.

Boje, with his former captain, the late Hansie Cronje, and Herschelle Gibbs were charged with match-fixing by the Delhi police in 2000. The King Commission in South Africa held Cronje guilty and levied a heavy fine on Gibbs but Boje was not implicated. Boje avoided visiting India since then in the absence of assurances from the police that he would not be questioned.

However, Boje changed his stance and travelled to India after signing a contract with the ICL. Gibbs was questioned by the Delhi police before the 2006 Champions Trophy.

Boje arrived in Delhi from Panchkula, where he is representing the Hyderabad Heroes in the inaugural edition of the ICL.