Sunday 19 May 2013

CCI orders probe into IPL spot-fixing allegations

Chennai, May 19: BCCI on Sunday launched an internal probe into spot-fixing allegations against three Rajasthan Royals players. Ravi Sawani has been appointed as the commissioner of the investigation. The BCCI also decided that all players' agents need to be registered with the Indian board and accredited by them from now on. Strictest action will be taken only after the internal investigation is completed, according to the BCCI. "Everybody is innocent until proven guilty. If they are proven guilty, we will take the strictest action. Our actions must be fair. We will go through the process," said BCCI president N Srinivasan. BCCI working committee had called an emergent meeting today to discuss the spot-fixing issue. The meeting was also attended by ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) chief YP Singh. RR owners and management were also called for the meeting by BCCI. Addressing the media, Srinivsan said that Sawani, who also heads BCCI's ACSU will head the panel to probe the allegations and submit a report to the board. He also added that players' agents need to be accredited. Also, Srinivasan said that RR management have decided to file a police complaint against all three players. On bookies operating in the country, Srinivasan said BCCI was "handicapped" and cannot control bookies. IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla, BCCI vice president Arun Jaitley and Anil Kumble joined the meeting via video conference from Delhi and Dharamsala respectively. Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan of Rajasthan Royals were arrested by Delhi police for their alleged involvement in spot-fixing in the ongoing IPL. The three cricketers were sent to police custody for five days on the same day, Thursday. On Saturday, Mumbai police seized Sreesanth's laptop, I-pad, mobile phones, data cards and Rs 72,000 cash from his hotel room. Highlights from Srinivasan's media briefing "At the meeting we had requested ACSU head of ICC and BCCI to address the Working Committee. They were requested to brief about what has happened, and what steps were taken. Ravi Shastri and Anil Kumble (via conference) were also present." "It was explained to us (BCCI) that we can control the players to some extent. We are handicapped in control over the bookies. We have to go by the rules applicable to the players. We have requested the Delhi Police Commissioner to provide us with the information to conduct our domestic inquiry." "We also invited the owners and management of the Rajasthan Royals to brief the committee. The management intends to file a complaint with the police against the players." "Access to the players will be monitored very strictly. An ACSU officer will be with the team, and monitor all the players' movements very closely." "We don't encourage betting. We don't encourage anything." "Betting is not legal in India. Police will have to act. I don't have the power." "In the last few days I have been asked to respond against comments made by Mr. (Lalit) Modi. I don't really respond to comments made my Mr. Modi, and with an enquiry going into Mr. Modi. Let that report come out, we will talk about that after that." "A lot of players have already understood what they should be doing and what they should not." "As far as RTI is concerned, we are a private body. RTI will not apply to us." "We will put in all measures to maximum extent to monitor players' behaviour." "We are very grateful to the public for filling the stadiums after the news (spot-fixing). It was full house at RR game and also last night despite rain (in Bangalore)." "For the last three-four days, there have been BCCI bashing and IPL bashing has taken place as if the whole world has fallen down. Only three players have allegedly done something. It doesn't mean the whole IPL is bad."

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