Stung BCCI rushes to save face, says integrity of game paramount; ‘guilty’ players claim they are victims of conspiracy, reads a report in The Times Of India. “Forced to take swift action after a TV sting showed some IPL players discussing spot-fixing and illegal money, the BCCI brass held a consultation over teleconference on Tuesday afternoon and discussed the specific provisions of IPL’s anti-corruption rules that allow for action to be taken on the basis of compelling proof or reasonable doubt. While the players denied the charges, it was felt the provisional ban could be invoked,” says the TOI report.
Cricketing bosses also felt that the suspension should be under BCCI rules after a reference by the IPL board. “Invoking IPL rules would mean the players would still be eligible to play in other tournaments. Even if they are claiming to have made tall promises, a tough message is needed,” sources said.
Meanwhile BCCI president N Srinivasan issued a press release that said a committee has been set up, “To make a preliminary enquiry as per Rule 32 (ii) of the memorandum and rules and regulations of BCCI on involvement of players in illegal activities or activities against the interests of the BCCI and the game.”
According to a report in The Indian Express, the BCCI has decided to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the incident by Ravi Sawani, the former chief of the International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption Unit who is now heading the BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit. IPL Chairman Rajiv Shukla said: “We will await the preliminary inquiry and proper action will be taken after that.”
Meanwhile a DNA report says that like the cat that drinks milk with its eyes closed, the BCCI and IPL officials wantonly stay blind to the happenings around them. Either they were recklessly complacent or deliberately indifferent that everything is hunky-dory in a tournament in which corporate houses and businessmen have high stakes, adds DNA.
“Money means little here and the owners are known to go to any extent to have their way. Rs30 crore was paid to acquire a player of limited abilities.
The BCCI has also contributed to the present state of affairs. It has not learnt the lessons from Pakistan where misguided youth have fallen prey to the lure of easy money. The IPL is a tournament of youngsters but there is no programme of counselling the players. The young and modestly-educated players are not taught how to handle success, fame, failure and instant rewards. Anil Kumble had submitted a proposal to this effect but it was reportedly shot down on the grounds that it was too expensive. The richest cricket body in the world can surely afford this programme that can only enhance the credibility of its tournament,” says the paper.
