Herschelle Gibbs questioned by Indian police over cricket match-fixing

South African batsman Herschelle Gibbs arrives to be questioned by Indian police. Picture / Reuters

NEW DELHI - Indian police questioned South African batsman Herschelle Gibbs on Thursday in a six-year-old match-fixing case and said he admitted to receiving two offers to underperform in exchange for money.

Gibbs, 32, arrived in India this week for the first time since the scandal broke after a Delhi police investigation into corruption during South Africa's tour of India in 2000.

A senior police official said Gibbs admitted his involvement in the "conspiracy" for corruption.

"Mr Gibbs did talk about receiving the offer twice," Ranjit Narayan, Delhi police joint commissioner (crime) told a news conference. "This he has agreed during interrogation."

"He admitted he was made an offer and he was part of the conspiracy," he said. "The offer, according to Gibbs, was made by his late captain Hansie Cronje."

However, he did not clarify whether Gibbs accepted the offer.

Then South African captain Hansie Cronje and team mates Gibbs, Nicky Boje and Pieter Strydom were charged by Indian police in 2000 with "cheating, fraud and criminal conspiracy related to match-fixing and betting".

Gibbs was fined and suspended for six months by his national board after admitting he agreed to underperform in a one-day international.

The offer was relayed to him by Cronje, who was subsequently banned from cricket for life.

Gibbs had declined to tour India since then over fears he may be detained.

Gibbs arrived in India yesterday to a media frenzy with a large posse of journalists also greeting him at the Delhi police headquarters.

Gibbs was accompanied by his lawyer Peter Whelan and the South African high commissioner.

"All loopholes and gaps have been filled," Narayan said. "Now the investigation can move forward."

The Delhi police said they could question Gibbs again but not during the ICC Champions Trophy in which he is playing. South Africa play New Zealand in their opening game on Monday.

"His lawyers agreed that in case he is needed again, he would come so that the legal process can move forward," Narayan said.

Gibbs also told the Delhi police the team had rejected an offer to underperform in exchange for money on the 1996 tour.

The player also apologised for calling the Delhi police "hard arses" for insisting he present himself for questioning, Narayan said.

- REUTERS