Cricket 'fixed since the 70s'

Lord Condon's report into international cricket match-fixing concludes that games have been rigged in England since the Seventies, it was reported today.

The former Met Police Commissioner's report, unveiled tomorrow, also reveals details of alleged murder, kidnapping and threatening of key witnesses. He also says his investigations around the world into the multi-million pound match-fixing industry have been hampered by witnesses refusing to co-operate.

Former Surrey and England captain Alec Stewart, who allegedly took money from an Indian bookmaker, has not been questioned by the anti-corruption unit six months after the claim was first made, the report states. Stewart denies the claims.

Lord Condon - who was appointed head of the International Cricket Council's anti-corruption unit last June after South African captain Hansie Cronje was accused of match-fixing - claims many people in cricket knew about corruption.

He said: "Allegations in the public domain were only the tip of the iceberg. I have spoken to people who have been threatened and others who have alleged a murder and kidnapping linked to cricket corruption."

Among those Lord Condon has interviewed is Indian bookmaker MA Gupta, implicated in the Cronje affair and who subsequently alleged Stewart received £5,000 from him to provide information about the pitch and the weather.