In the light of the spot-fixing controversy, the Indian board has decided that all player agents will need to be accredited. The BCCI president N Srinivasan has said steps will be taken to monitor access to players. It was also decided that one anti-corruption official will be appointed to each team who will always accompany the teams along with a security officer.
The BCCI has appointed its Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) chief Ravi Sawani as commissioner of an inquiry into the spot-fixing issue. Sawani will present his findings to the BCCI’s disciplinary committee, after which the Indian board will decide what action to take on the three players. The decision was revealed by Srinivasan following an emergency working committee meeting of the board in Chennai to discuss the controversy.
Srinivasan also said that Rajasthan Royals will file a police complaint against three of their players arrested earlier this week on allegations of spot-fixing. He said the BCCI itself will not press legal charges. “We are advised that the BCCI by itself cannot because they (the players) are contracted to the franchise, the franchise is filing.”
Betting on sports, except horse-racing, is illegal in India and since the controversy broke, there have been demands for legalising betting, but Srinivasan wasn’t sure that would solve the problem. “In other countries they have legalised betting and it has helped control … but I do not know as far as India is concerned.”
Srinivasan also acknowledged the limitations of the ACSU in stopping corruption in cricket. “They can’t gather information like police can. They can’t tap phones. They have got a lot of restrictions,” he said. “Not being a police organisation, we are handicapped when it comes to control over bookies.”
The BCCI meeting was convened after three cricketers playing in the IPL – Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila – were arrested by Delhi Police for their alleged involvement in spot-fixing. Amit Singh, a former Royals cricketer, was arrested as a bookie.
BCCI had suspended the four cricketers, pending enquiry, after the controversy occurred. The three Royals players were arrested on Thursday by Delhi Police for allegedly indulging in spot-fixing during three IPL matches. The Delhi Police also arrested several bookies for their role in the matter.
BCCI says one thing but will do other thing. The other being pushing to clear the charges against the players. Mark my words. There are lots of money involved for BCCI and plenty of economic gain for the people of BBCI. We will review the situation in three years.
Cynics like you are jealous that you are not making money yourself. YOu come from land of conspiracy theories and using a fake name.
Corruption will reduce viewership of cricket. Even without fixing there is tonnes of money for everyone- players, team owners, IPL , BCCI so they will act.
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