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This season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has now reached an exciting phase. The battle for a place in the play-offs has started between 6 to 7 teams. Meanwhile, the danger of honey trap is also looming. This is the reason why the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has warned all the teams regarding the presence of unauthorized people in the hotel rooms of the players. BCCI has expressed the fear of players and other staff being trapped in honey trap and has said that no outsider is allowed to enter or leave the room of any player or staff.

BCCI issued an 8-page directive to all 10 franchises, raising concerns about some serious violations of the protocols while laying down the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). BCCI has said that in the coming times the protocol will have to be strictly followed. Based on the letter issued by BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia, news agency PTI has reported that strict instructions have been given to all the teams to follow the rules.

BCCI expressed concern

Devjit Saikia has said in this letter, ‘This advice has been issued in view of some incidents during the current session. Its objective is to strengthen the standards of professionalism, discipline, security awareness and adherence to protocols expected from all stakeholders associated with the IPL. 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.

According to Devjit Saikia, 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 could be seriously damaged. “This could expose individuals and franchisees to serious legal liability and security risks.”

Problem due to outsiders entering the rooms

BCCI’s main concern is about ‘unauthorized persons’ entering the players’ hotel rooms. The letter said, ‘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. 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.

rules for players

First: No person, regardless of his identity or relationship to the 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 permission of the Team Manager.

Second: Guests will be welcomed only in designated 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 mentions violations committed by unnamed team owners who have not maintained 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 players, approach them, hug them or make any other physical contact during matches. Even if such behavior is done in good faith, it is a direct breach of protocol and may constitute interference with the functioning of the team and the conduct of the match.

Instructions for Team Owners

First: IPL franchise owners and their representatives are strictly prohibited from interacting with or having access to 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 protocols 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 every match day.

What did BCCI say on vaping?

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. Without naming Ryan, Devjit Saikia wrote, ‘Instances of vaping in the dressing room and other restricted areas of the tournament have been brought to the notice of the BCCI. 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 has said that therefore there is a strict ban on vaping, e-cigarettes and use of all banned substances in all venues to the IPL tournament (dressing rooms, dugouts, team hotels and practice areas).