Bacher refutes match-fixing allegation

United Cricket Board managing director Ali Bacher has flatly denied an allegation that he was involved in fixing a match involving a rebel West Indian team during the early 1980s.

Responding to the allegation which was contained in a statement by attorney Peter Soller and submitted to the King commission, Bacher says "There is absolutely no substance in this allegation whatsoever".

According to Soller, Bacher offered one of Lawrence Rowe's rebel money to lose a one-day game against South Africa after they threatened not to return to the field at the Wanderers.

Bacher's full statement reads: "I have noted with great distress and concern the statement submitted by Mr Peter Soller to the King Commission of Inquiry, and published in a morning newspaper, in which he alleges that I was involved in payments to the West Indies Cricket Team to throw a match during their tour of South Africa in the mid-80s.

"This statement is false and defamatory and I regard it as the gravest possible imputation against my character. There is absolutely no substance in this allegation whatsoever.

"There was a contractual dispute involving the West Indies in terms of which demands were made for a bonus based upon attendance during the series. At one point, the West Indies XI threatened that they would not play a particular match should they not receive the promised bonus. It was in this context and in this context alone, that the dispute arose and it had nothing to do with payment to influence the outcome of any match. The dispute was amicably resolved.

"I am fully prepared to deal with this issue before the King Commission."

It is understood that Bacher may be considering legal action against Soller.