Football body not the only player in global sporting chicanery game

WINTER OLYMPICS, SALT LAKE CITY: In 1995, Salt Lake City was named host city for the 2002 Winter Olympics, sparking widespread celebrations in Utah.

However, they were proved to be premature. In 1998, members of the International Olympics Committee (IOC) were accused of taking bribes from the Salt Lake organising committee to give the games to the city.

Two officials with the organising committee had paid more than 600,000 to panel members choosing the venue. Lavish gifts were usual - one member's wife got free cosmetic surgery. Ten IOC members expelled.

COMMONWEALTH GAMES, DELHI: The chief organiser of last year's Commonwealth Games was arrested last month by Indian officials as part of a corruption investigation.

The event was marred by a series of corruption scandals, construction delays and out-of-control budgets.

Suresh Kalmadi, the highest-ranking member of the organising committee to be arrested, has been charged with conspiracy for allegedly favouring a Swiss company in the purchase of equipment for timing and scoring events.

PAKISTAN: Three Pakistan international cricketers and a sports agent at the centre of spot-fixing allegations last week appeared at a preliminary hearing at Southwark Crown Court in London.

Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt, 26, and fast bowlers Mohammad Asif, 28, and Mohammad Amir, 18, are charged with cheating and conspiracy to obtain and accept corrupt payments.

The agent, Mazhar Majeed, is accused of accepting 150,000 to arrange for the players to bowl no-balls during three dates in Pakistan's Test series against England at Lord's last August.

Cricket's governing body the International Cricket Council has banned the three from all forms of the game.