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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has apparently dealt severely with the IPL franchise owners as they have repeatedly breached the protocols throughout the ongoing IPL 2026 season. This comes after the BCCI's Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) pointed out various breaches involving the franchise owners and their staff members during the games.

The BCCI had already issued a 7-page advisory to all 10 IPL franchises after various instances where players and their support staff members violated the norms, as the players were found to be vaping whereas "unauthorised people" were seen entering the hotel rooms of the players and the staff. Furthermore there were also allegations about outsiders being present inside the prohibited areas on the field during the matches.

Now, the BCCI has turned towards the franchise owners to take serious actions against their problematic attitude and the new update is that they have taken stringent measures.

According to reports from The Indian Express, it has been stated that a few franchise owners have been seen entering the prohibited areas of the venue during the matches trying to establish contact with the players and the support staff in live games. Additionally a few owners were reportedly seen carrying their mobile phones to the ground which is not permitted.

The ACU informed the board that the owners have been crossing the stipulated boundaries near the dugouts and the dressing rooms and attempting to send messages to the players during live games.

A source was quoted Indian Express by saying:

"One of the most worrying aspects has been the behavior of the team owners. They have been flouting rules and haven't been cooperating. By way of evidence there are photographs of them near the dugout. Some even carry their phones to the ground. They have been warned but it hasn't helped," 

The Indian cricket board has issued a stern warning to the IPL owners that they have to remain in the areas specifically designated for them during matches and follow the IPL Player and Match Official Access (PMOA) protocol very strictly.

The BCCI Secretary, Devajit Saikia, has clearly mentioned that the owners and franchise representatives cannot communicate directly with players or team officials inside the playing areas dressing room and the dugouts during matches except through the appointed and approved channels.

In the advisory sent by BCCI secretary Devajit Sakia, the Indian cricket board said : 

"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 the course of a match, except through designated and approved channels."

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BCCI also informed the franchises that stricter actions shall be taken if the issue continues to persist during the remainder of IPL 2026.

BCCI Secretary Warned:

"All IPL franchise owner-level access to restricted zones must strictly conform to the PMOA Protocol as communicated by the IPL Operations Division. Any deviation shall be treated as a serious violation. Franchise management is responsible for ensuring that IPL franchise owners and their associates are fully briefed on the applicable protocols prior to each match day."

It has also been observed that the team members have not been producing their accreditation cards to the security personnel of the venues when asked.

Saikia concluded:

"It has been brought to notice that certain team members have demonstrated reluctance in presenting their accreditation cards for verification when requested by authorized security personnel. This behaviour is unacceptable and constitutes a breach of basic event security protocol."

On Sunday a meeting has been called between the team CEOs to address the issue of increasing concern.