Police release cricketers without charge

The three Pakistan cricketers at the centre of match-fixing allegations have been released without charge by police.

Test captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer were all questioned separately by detectives at Kilburn police station in northwest London.

Speaking outside the station after they had left, their lawyer, Elizabeth Robertson, said they had attended voluntarily and at no time were they under arrest.

She said the men would continue to co-operate fully with police and the International Cricket Council (ICC), which has already charged them under their anti-corruption code and provisionally banned them from playing in any match.

The trio say they are innocent but have been charged with "various offences" under Article 2 of the ICC's anti-corruption code relating to alleged irregular behaviour during and in relation to the fourth Test between England and Pakistan.

International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Haroon Lorgat earlier told a news conference: "We will do whatever we can to preserve the integrity of the game."