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Delhi. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday issued an eight-page directive to the 10 franchises of the Indian Premier League (IPL), expressing concern about some serious violations of protocols while laying down the standard operating procedures (SOPs) that will need to be strictly followed in the near future. PTI has a copy of the letter written by BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia to the CEOs of 10 franchises.

“This advisory has been issued in view of certain incidents during the current season and is aimed at strengthening the standards of professionalism, discipline, security awareness and adherence to protocols expected from all stakeholders associated with the IPL,” Saikia said in the letter.

BCCI’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) has reported some cases of violations and the Board has pointed out these and clarified the position.

Saikia said, “It has come to the notice of BCCI that there have been some incidents of misconduct and protocol violations involving players, support staff members and team officials during the current IPL season. If these incidents are not addressed, the reputation of the tournament, the respective franchises and the BCCI as a governing body could be seriously damaged.

This could expose individuals and franchises to serious legal liability and security risks. BCCI’s main concern is the entry of ‘unauthorized persons’ into players’ hotel rooms. “It has been observed that some players and support staff members have allowed unauthorized persons to enter their hotel rooms without the knowledge or permission of the respective IPL franchise team manager,” the letter said.

In many cases the team manager was not aware of the presence of such guests at all. This practice is strictly prohibited with immediate effect.” All players and support staff members were also given three-point instructions which they would be required to follow. First: No person, regardless of his identity or relationship to a team member or his stated purpose, will be permitted to enter the hotel room of a player or support staff member without the prior notice and express written approval of the Team Manager.

Second: Guests and visitors will be welcomed only in designated public areas of the hotel such as the lobby or hotel ‘reception lounge’. No guest will be taken into private rooms of the hotel unless specific permission for the same has been given in writing by the Team Manager. Third: BCCI draws the attention of all franchisees to the risks of targeted sexual exploitation and ‘honey trapping’ in top-level sporting events.

The possibility of incidents giving rise to serious legal charges under Indian laws to sexual misconduct cannot be ignored. IPL franchises must remain vigilant and proactive at all times to mitigate such risks. It added that franchise owners are expected to strictly follow these instructions. It also mentioned violations committed by unnamed team owners who did not maintain the sanctity of the player and match officials access areas (PMOA).

BCCI expresses concern that some IPL franchise owners have not followed the PMOA protocols. In particular, there have been cases in which IPL franchise owners attempt to talk to, approach, hug or otherwise physically contact players during matches. Even if such behavior is done in good faith, it is a direct breach of protocol and may constitute interference with team functioning and match conduct. There are also three-point guidelines for team owners in this regard.

First: 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 on the field during the match.

Second: All franchise owners must strictly follow the PMOA protocol of IPL. Any kind of violation will be taken seriously.

Third: The franchise management must ensure that IPL franchise owners and their associates are fully informed about the protocols in place before each match day.

Not only the franchise but also the BCCI has faced a lot of notoriety due to Assam cricketer and Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag vaping in the dressing room during the match. “Instances of vaping in dressing rooms and other restricted areas of tournament venues have been brought to the notice of BCCI,” Saikia wrote without naming Ryan. It should be noted that e-cigarettes are banned under Indian law.

Any person found indulging in such conduct within the premises of the venue is not only in violation of BCCI and IPL rules, but is also committing an offense under the laws in force in this regard.” He said, ”Therefore, there is a strict ban on vaping, e-cigarettes and use of all prohibited substances in all venues associated with the IPL tournament.

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