The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday moved the Supreme Court for release of funds to member States, says a report in The Hindu, adding that the cricket body said the non-disbursal of funds would result in cancellation of the India-England Test in Rajkot on Wednesday.
The Supreme Court had, on October 21, barred the State cricket bodies from using BCCI funds till they accept the Justice Lodha Committee’s reforms in “letter and spirit.”
Meanwhile, according to a report in the DNA, the top court bench said it will consult the CJI on the matter.
“Last week, the Supreme Court appointed Lodha Committee had told the Indian Cricket Board that the ‘proposed MoU’ between England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and BCCI ‘is not a part of the mandate’ and no directions can be issued on payments unless details are furnished,” said the report, adding that secretary Ajay Shirke had sought directions from the committee that since home board makes all the arrangements and payments for the visiting team during a bilateral series, whether they could ask ECB to make their payments as BCCI can't carry out financial transactions.
Meanwhile, BCCI President Anurag Thakur and secretary Ajay Shirke submitted the compliance report to Lodha Committee on Saturday.
According to a report in the Indian Express, the Lodha panel on their part have opposed the BCCI submission and believe the cricket body is in contempt of the Supreme Court directive. Further the apex court bench will consult the Chief Justice of India.
“Both teams are already in Rajkot and undergoing the final practices before the first of the five Tests. There were reports earlier where BCCI had asked the England Cricket Board (ECB) had asked the visitors to foot the bill until funds were made available for hotel stay, travel and other arrangements,” says the report, adding that BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke had raised doubts over hosting of the series despite ECB agreeing to pay for the expenses and the spokesperson suggesting the series was going ahead as planned.
