BCCI’s strict IPL warning: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has warned IPL teams about the potential threats of honey-trapping during the competition. In a message rallied to teams, the BCCI secretary also warned the teas regarding situations that could lead to serious allegations related to sexual misconduct. The board has requested all teams to stay carefeul.
In the eight-page guidelines issued to franchises on Thursday evening, BCCI secretary Devajit Sakia said that the board is drawing the attention of all teams towards the danger of targeted compromise and honey-trapping, which are common in high-profile tournaments. He added that the possibility of incidents leading to serious legal allegations, including charges under laws having connection with sexual misconduct, cannot be ignored. The BCCI has requested IPL team managements to stay watchful and proactive at all times to remove such threats.
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"The advisory has been issued in light of certain incidents observed during ongoing season and is intended to reinforce the standards of professionalism, discipline, security awareness and protocol compliance expected from all stakeholders associated with IPL," wrote Sakia to CEOs of all the 10 teams.
“It has come to the attention of the BCCI that certain incidents of misconduct and protocol violation have occured involving players and support staff and team officials during the course of the current IPL season. These incidents if left unaddressed, carry the potential to cause significant reputational harm to the tournament, the Franchise concerned and the BCCI as the Governing Body. They may further expose individuals and franchises to legal liability and security risks of serious nature."
Big concern raised by BCCI
One of the big concerns raised by the BCCI is the entry of unauthorised person into players' hotel rooms without seeking permission from the team managers.
“It has been observed that certain players and support staff members have permitted unauthorised persons to access their hotel rooms without the knowledge or approval of the concerned IPL franchise Team Manager. In a number of instances, Team Manager was entirely unaware of the presence of such visitors. The practice is strictly prohibited with immediate effect," reads the document.
Support staffs and players have been issued a three-point guideline to follow.
1. No person irrespective of their identity, relationship to team member or stated purpose shall be permitted entry into player’s or support staff member’s hotel room without prior knowledge and explicit written approval from Team Manager.
2. Guests and visitors shall be received exclusively in designated public areas of hotel such as lobby or hotel reception lounge. No guest shall be escorted to private hotel rooms unless Team Manager has specifically authorised the same in writing.
3. The BCCI draws attention to all Franchises to the well documented risks of targeted compromise and Honey Trapping that pervade high profile sporting environments. The possibility of incidents giving rise to serious legal allegations, including those under applicable Indian laws on sexual misconduct cannot be discounted. IPL franchises must remain vigilant and proactive in mitigating such risks at all times.
BCCI warns team owners
The advisory also noted the instances of team owners breaching the Players and Match Officials Access (PMOA) protocol by entering the dugout area and approaching players during the live games.
“The BCCI has noted with concern that certain IPL franchise owners have not adhered to the Players and Match Officials Access (PMOA) protocol during the course of the matches. Specifically instances have been observed of IPL franchises owners attempting to communicate with, approach, hug, or otherwise physically interact with players during live match situations. Such conduct however well-intentioned, directly contravenes established protocol and may constitute interference with team dynamics and match proceedings," the advisory continued.
A three point diktat has been issued to the owners as well
1. IPL franchise owners and their representatives are strictly prohibited from communicating with or physically accessing players or team officials in the dugout, dressing room or playing area during course of the match, except through designated and approved channels.
2. All franchise owner level access to restricted zones must strictly conform to the PMOA Protocol as communicated by the IPL operations Divisions. Any deviation shall be treated as serious violation.
3. Franchise management is responsible for ensuring that IPL franchise owners and their associates are fully briefed on applicable protocols prior to each match day.