Pakistan trio in British court over spot-fixing

Three Pakistan cricketers accused of spot-fixing in a Test match against England last year appeared in a British court on Thursday to face criminal charges.

Former captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer were greeted by a scrum of photographers and cameramen as they arrived at City of Westminster Magistrates Court in London.

The three men then filed into the dock, which is surrounded by security glass, along with their agent, Mazhar Majeed.

Thursday’s hearing is expected to deal with procedural matters.

The four men were charged after being questioned by Scotland Yard detectives over the alleged scandal last August, following accusations made by the News of the World tabloid newspaper.

They face charges of conspiracy to cheat and conspiracy to obtain and accept corrupt payments.

Majeed, who is based in London, is accused of accepting £150,000 ($240,000) to arrange for the players to bowl ‘no balls’ on August 26 and 27, during Pakistan’s fourth Test at Lord’s in London.

An International Cricket Council (ICC)Âanti-corruption tribunal has already banned Butt for 10 years, Asif for seven and Aamer for five over the allegations.

All three playersÂdeny the allegations and have already filed appeals against their bans in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).