Former New Zealand international cricketer Lou Vincent, speaking publicly for the first time about his match-fixing, has announced his life-time ban from the sport.
In a video statement released on Tuesday, Vincent said he had lived with his "dark secret" for many years, and had only recently decided to come forward and tell the truth.
"I am a cheat. I have abused my position as a professional sportsman on a number of occasions by choosing to accept money through fixing," he said.
"I have shamed my country. I have shamed my sport. I have shamed those close to me.
"I lost faith in myself and the game. I abused the game I love."
A spokeswoman said Vincent was expecting to be formally sanctioned later on Tuesday.
"He has been issued a life ban from the cricketing bodies for being involved in match fixing five games. There are 26 charges in total," she said.
Due to ongoing investigations, she said no further comment would be made.
Vincent is accused of fixing matches in Twenty20 and 50-over matches while playing English county cricket for Lancashire and Sussex.
In June he was banned for three years in Bangladesh for failing to report approaches to fix matches.
Vincent played 23 Tests, 102 one-day internationals and nine Twenty20 internationals from 2001-07.
In a five-minute statement, Vincent said he accepted responsibility for what he had done.
"Laying bare the things I have done wrong is the only way I can find to begin to put things right," he said.
"It is entirely my fault that I will never be able to stand in front of a game again. It is entirely my fault that I will not be able to apply my skills in a positive way to help future cricketers," he said.
Vincent, whose struggles with depression have been well-documented, said he wasn't using that as an excuse.
"I do suffer from depression, but it is absolutely no reason or excuse for all I have done wrong.
"The people who know me know I am vulnerable. But they also know I am not stupid and that I know what is right and what is wrong."
He said he would regret his actions for the rest of his life.
Agencies
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