Bodi handed 20-year ban for attempted match-fixing

Gulam Bodi has been handed a 20-year ban by Cricket South Africa (CSA) after admitting to "contriving or attempting to fix matches" in a domestic Twenty20 tournament.

Former South Africa spinner Bodi was charged with intending to fix matches in the 2015 Ram Slam and provisionally suspended by CSA this month.

The 37-year-old, who made two one-day international and one Twenty20 appearance for the Proteas, had been given until January 18 to respond to the charges.

Five years of Bodi's ban are suspended on the condition he commits no further breaches of CSA's Anti-Corruption code.

A statement from Cricket South Africa read: "Bodi is immediately banned for a period of 20 years from participating in, or being involved in any capacity in, any international or domestic match or any other kind of function, event or activity [other than authorised anti-corruption education or rehabilitation programmes] that is authorised, organised, sanctioned, recognised or supported in any way by CSA, the ICC [International Cricket Council], a National Cricket Federation or any member of a National Cricket Federation.

"Five of those years are suspended on condition that Mr Bodi commits no further offences under the Code and demonstrates to CSA's reasonable satisfaction that he has actively and constructively participated in corruption-related player education programmes when asked to do so."

CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat said: "CSA thoroughly considered all the relevant factors and determined that a lengthy ban was appropriate.

"Our attitude to corruption will always be one of zero tolerance. There is no doubt that Mr Bodi's actions have threatened the integrity and image of the game that we love and he must be handed a strong punishment. We have had many discussions with Mr Bodi and he accepts the folly of his actions.

"We are fortunate in this instance that several players rejected his approaches and, as a direct result of our integrity processes, the matter was brought to light and meticulously investigated.

"There are no winners in this sort of ill-fated and unfortunate matter. However, all of us in the cricket community must learn from this experience and remain vigilant.

"We expect that that Mr Bodi himself will learn and will actively assist us in reminding players of the dangers of corrupt behaviour."