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June 8, 2000
NEWS |
Text of Hansie Cronje's confessionThe South African inquiry into match-fixing allegations in cricket on Thursday received a copy of disgraced captain Hansie Cronje's hand-written confession, made in April. The confession was handed to United Cricket Board security chief Rory Steyn in the early hours of April 11, after news had broken in India that Dehi police had in its possession recorded telephone conversations of Cronje and a bookie about fixing of cricket matches. Here's a partial text of the statement:
"I have been a Christian since childhood days when I grew up in the house of
two wonderful people, Ewie and San-Marie Cronje. I was reborn after the tragic
death of a four-year-old girl on the north coast road to Stanger. I tried to live a
Christian life and walk the way the Lord wanted me to walk...
"I would like to apologise to all my family members who stood right behind me
through this, especially
"It has been a tough weekend but also a great weekend for me in that I now
have the opportunity to face myself in the mirror again for the first time since
the
"On my way to the nets
"Since that day, in a moment of stupidity and weakness, I allowed Satan and
the world to dictate terms to me, rather than the Lord. Hamid called me
almost four times a day from then on.
"He later introduced me to a friend called Sanjay during the one-day
international series with England and Zimbabwe. Together, they told me that I
could also make some cash if we could maybe cook a match. I told them that
I was not prepared to do this unless we were assured of a place in the final.
"Of course, we only narrowly got through to the final and the opportunity never
came. I had in my possession at that stage 10,000 to 15,000 U.S. dollars that
Sanjay gave me just in case I had a change of mind.
"I told him that maybe
"I would like to make it absolutely clear to any member of the South African
team, whether player or management, about this: I lied to him
"I ignored him the night before the
"As it happened, we got 301 for three. I got 19 off 20 balls and India knocked
it off quite comfortably after
"When I got back to the hotel, Sanjay was upset because we got too many
runs and I blamed the Indian keeper for three chances that he missed. I did
not accept any money for that match.
"I feel that I can bring something good out of all this.
"I have been a role model for many people in South Africa and this was a
lesson for all of you out there: When Satan comes knocking on the door,
always keep your eyes on the Lord Jesus Christ and ask him to protect you
from any wrong.
"The moment I took my eyes off Jesus, my whole world turned dark and it felt
like someone had stuck a knife through my chest.
"Be thankful for family and friends. No matter what you go through, they will
always stand by you. My parents have been through hell during my life and
this has been their worst weekend ever. I want them to know that it was only
because of their example that I am writing this letter and also want to be
proud one day when I am their age.
"Thank you Mom and Dad, Frans
"To Bertha: She deserves better than me. Yet she has been patient and trying
her utmost to keep me on the right track. She is a devoted Christian and I lied
to her about this whole issue.
"I'll be back. Better off than I am now, once I have been punished."
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