ISLAMABAD, Sept 4 (AP/UNB) - The three Pakistan players suspended over allegations of fixing have denied any wrongdoing by the businessman at the center of the scandal, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board's legal adviser.

"The players have informed the police that the man was their agent, but they had no knowledge about his illegal activities," legal adviser Tafazzul Rizvi told private television channels in Pakistan. "They (players) all went to record statements voluntarily to the police station."

British tabloid News of the World has accused agent Mazhar Majeed of accepting money in exchange for getting fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir to bowl intentional no-balls during last week's fourth test against England at Lord's.

"Players all around the world have their agents and its not something new," Rizvi said. "Mazhar had been associated with different Pakistan players as an agent for the last six to seven years."

Test captain Salman Butt, Asif and Amir were suspended by the International Cricket Council on Thursday. They have 14 days to decide whether they want to appeal against the suspension.

Rizvi said that all the three players were issued separate notice by the ICC and now "players have to fight their appeals on their own."

"We will just monitor what happens at the appeals, but they have to contest it on their own," Rizvi said. The legal adviser said that the three players also showed a copy of their contract letters with Majeed to London police, who later released the players without any criminal charges.

Pakistan High Commissioner Wajid Shamsul Hasan had criticized the ICC for taking action before police had completed criminal investigations.