Now umpire Asad Rauf linked to IPL spot-fixing scandal

The IPLA spot-fixing saga seems to be widening its net with the ICC withdrawing controversial Pakistani umpire Asad Rauf from the panel of match officials for the upcoming Champions Trophy in England. The ICC cited that Rauf is being investigated by the Mumbai Police for his alleged role in the scandal. "The decision has been made after media reports on Wednesday indicated that the umpire was under investigation by Mumbai Police," an ICC release said. Explaining the decision, ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said: "In the wake of reports that the Mumbai Police are conducting an investigation into Asad Rauf's activities, we feel that it is in Asad's best interests as well as those of the sport and the event itself, that he is withdrawn from participating in the ICC Champions Trophy." Rauf is however not a rookie to controversies. Last year he wasA embroiled in a controversy when a small-time model named Leena Kapoor accused the Pakistani umpire of sexually exploiting her for months before refusing to marry her. Rauf was supposed to officiate in a warm-up match between Australia and West Indies in Cardiff on June 1. In the tournament group league stage, he was supposed to officiate in two matches in Cardiff. The first on June 9 was between Sri Lanka and New Zealand while other was between West Indies and South Africa.