Former board president Manohar calls for CBI investigation, says UAE as host would further tarnish league’s image
Stating that the “revelation” in the recent IPl fixing scandal could only be the tip of the iceberg, former BCCI President Shashank Manohar on Wednesday called for the suspension of the IPl till a thorough probe by the CBI nails the culprits and the game is cleaned up.
Manohar, who was succeeded as BCCI president by N Srinivasan, was also critical of the decision to stage a part of the 2014 IPl in the UAE next month, which he says “will further tarnish the already murky waters surrounding the tournament”.
Manohar’s call came just a day after Supreme Court made stinging observations that Srinivasan should step down to ensure a fair investigation to the IPl spot-fixing scandal.
“The Supreme Court’s observation is that there are very, very serious allegations made in the report and unless the BCCI president steps down, no fair probe can be conducted,” he said.
“Considering the latest developments in the BCCI, it is my considered opinion that until the faith of the people in the integrity of the game is restored, the IPl tournament for the year 2014 should be suspended,” Manohar was quoted as saying by Cricinfo.
“As regards suspending IPl 2014, the board members should remind themselves that money/profits is neither the aim nor the objective of the board. The primary duty is to promote a clean game of cricket,” he added.
He said in view of the serious allegations, regarding betting, spot-fixing and match-fixing, the public at large has lost its faith in IPl games.
“I had said long back, when the scandal broke, that all IPl matches should be investigated. Only then can all the erring parties be punished and the clean-up initiated. What has been lately revealed could well be the tip of the iceberg. I feel that a thorough probe needs to be done by CBI as the canvas of the activities extends throughout the country,” said Manohar who was the BCCI chief from 2008 to 2011.
“Cricket is the most popular game in India and enjoys a dedicated viewership of millions. This viewership is what generates income and fuels BCCI’s clout on an international level. If the faith of the public is not restored, the BCCI would be failing the public which has catapulted it to being the most influential player on the international scene,” Manohar said.
He also voiced concern at the decision of the BCCI to hold the first leg of the IPl in UAE (after the government refused to provide security due to lok Sabha elections) “in view of certain information regarding rampant betting and match-fixing” in that country.
South Africa and Bangladesh were also considered as possible venues but the BCCI finally decided to hold the first part of the IPl in the UAE.
“Many years back, a conscious decision was taken by the BCCI to abstain from matches in the Middle East in view of certain information regarding rampant betting and match-fixing. As far as I know, that decision has not been revoked. Due to the upcoming lok Sabha elections, the decision to shift IPl matches to the Middle East will further tarnish the already murky waters surrounding the tournament,” he said. Srinivasan should have quit long back: bindra
lashing out at N Srinivasan for “shamelessly sticking to his chair” even after Supreme Court’s observation to step down, former BCCI President I S Bindra on Wednesday asked him to quit before he drags Indian cricket down the gutter along with him.
“It’s a moment of shame for us to see the game gaining such disrepute across the globe for a single man’s obsession with power. It is time for all of us involved in the sport; all the stakeholders of the game in the country to take a call and express our displeasure at the way the game is being administered,” Bindra said.
“What stung me most was the use of word ‘nauseating’ by the apex court in describing BCCI and its chief, N Srinivasan. If that is not reason enough for someone to be ashamed, I wonder what isIJ It has been over 24 hours and the BCCI and its chief have taken no action as yet,” he said in his blog.
“Mr. Srinivasan, are you able to see the writing on the wallIJ Quit before you drag Indian cricket down the gutter along with yourself,” he added.
He also took potshots at the BCCI top brass for not coming out in the open with clear views against Srinivasan. “What surprises me even more is the fact that there has been no murmur from the top brass in the BCCI. Yes, there have been statements from the BCCI vice-presidents but they are too open-ended. The inaction by the BCCI top brass reflects Srinivasan’s shamelessness to stick to his chair.
“How else would you explain the defiance by the manIJ He is surely worried about the skeletons in the cupboard tumbling out if and when he departs. Why else would he be resisting stepping down after being castigated by the Supreme CourtIJ” Bindra asked.