(REUTERS) – The International Cricket Council is investigating former New Zealand players over their involvement in alleged match-fixing, the sport’s world governing body said yesterday.The ICC was forced to issue a statement confirming it had been investigating a small group of players after a local newspaper reported that up to three players were involved in a probe by the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit.

“The ICC confirms that it has indeed been working closely over the past few months with its colleagues in the domestic anti-corruption units of member boards to investigate these and related matters,” the statement said.
“The ICC and all of its members maintain a zero-tolerance attitude towards corruption in the sport, and the ACSU will continue to collaborate with relevant individuals in order to complete its investigation process.
“Naturally, as the investigation remains ongoing and nobody has been charged with any offence, no further comment will be made.”
New Zealand Cricket had earlier issued its own two-sentence statement confirming the investigation after a New Zealand Herald report said members of the ACSU had been in the country for months conducting enquiries.
“New Zealand Cricket (NZC) is aware the International Cricket Council (ICC) is investigating a small number of former New Zealand cricketers,” NZC said.
“As this is an ICC investigation, unfortunately NZC is not able to comment further.”
The Herald said the players, none of whom is still playing professionally, were involved in the investigation which was concentrating on matches overseas rather than in New Zealand.
The New Zealand government last week announced an initiative to encourage greater information-sharing and co-ordination amongst government agencies and sporting organisations in an effort to combat corruption in sport.
It also plans to introduce anti match-fixing legislation next year.