Cricket scandal could hit flood aid for Pakistan
By IANSTuesday, August 31, 2010
LONDON - The match fixing scandal could hit aid for victims of floods that have ravaged Pakistan, feared a British MP who added that it was “absolutely the worst thing that could have happened now”.
Khalid Mahmood, a Labour MP from Perry Barr in Birmingham, said: “It’s very damaging to Pakistan, especially to the relief effort.”
“It’s very negative and absolutely the worst thing that could have happened now. A lot of people of Pakistani origin are hugely disappointed to the extent that they don’t want to have any association with the cricket team any more. They feel hugely let down and disgraced,” Daily Express Tuesday quoted him as saying.
Mazhar Majeed, a 35-year-old agent, was caught on videotape accepting 150,000 pounds in a sting operation conducted by The News of the World (NOTW) tabloid.
Three Pakistani players - captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir - are charged with under-performing in the fourth Test match between England and Pakistan.
The MP said that people will think twice before giving cash.
“It will have a knock-on effect.
“The people (of Pakistan) will have many more troubles heading their way because of the flooding, through disease and famine, so they are in desperate need of help. But such a disgraceful, negative story will cancel out an awful lot of good work that has been done.”
