International Cricket Council Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said "I am satisfied that the proceedings are now over and we respect the findings of the independent tribunal. The members of this tribunal are extremely experienced and have considered the matter at great length after hearing detailed submissions from all parties.
"From the moment we became aware of the allegations of spot-fixing made by the News Of The World newspaper in August 2010, the ICC has left no stone unturned in pursuing this matter and we are therefore pleased with the outcome.
"While I am deeply saddened that this case happened in the first place, I acknowledge and commend the decision to deliver lengthy bans to all three players.
"Corruption in our game will never be tolerated and, once again, Ireiterate our zero-tolerance approach. I hope this investigation, and the verdicts delivered, makes that message crystal-clear," said Mr. Lorgat.
The independent tribunal, chaired by Michael Beloff, QC, found three Pakistan players - Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif - guilty of charges relating to spot-fixing at the Lord's Test match between England and Pakistan in August 2010. In addition, Salman Butt was also found guilty of breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption Code by failing to report an approach made to him by Mazhar Majeed to engage in corrupt activity during The Oval Test match earlier in the same month.
Salman Butt was given a 10-year ban from any involvement in cricketing activities, five years of which were suspended on condition that, throughout that period, he commits no further breach of the code and that he participates, under the auspices of the Pakistan Cricket Board, in a program of anti-corruption education.
Mohammad Asif was given a 7-year ban from any involvement in cricketing activities, two years of which are suspended on condition that, throughout that period, he commits no further breach of the Code and he participates under the auspices of the Pakistan Cricket Board in a programme of anti-corruption education.
Mohammad Amir was given a five-year ban from any involvement in cricketing activities.
In all cases, the commencement of each of the bans imposed against the players will be backdated to 2 September 2010 so to give credit for the period of provisional suspension already served.