The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced that it will carry out regular checks on IPL franchises to verify that teams follow the latest set of directives issued to them on Thursday evening. These surprise inspections will be carried out by BCCI and IPL operations personnel as part of the monitoring process.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, in a message sent to the teams, stressed that “the BCCI / IPL Operations Team may conduct periodic checks to assess adherence to the directives set forth in this advisory.” He also said that team management must keep proper records of all approved guest arrivals and all hotel-related movements, making sure the documentation is available when requested.
Saikia further warned that any failure to follow the advisory must be reported by the franchise itself to the IPL operations group or the relevant IPL venue team at the earliest possible time. He added that the BCCI expects every IPL team to treat the advisory with the level of seriousness it requires, and to take every step needed to protect the league’s credibility and public standing.
Consequences of non-compliance
In the same communication, Saikia underlined that breaches will be treated as a serious disciplinary issue. He noted that teams and the individuals involved could face action under the applicable IPL Regulations, the BCCI Rules and Regulations, and any other relevant laws, depending on the circumstances of the violation.
The secretary also made it clear that the BCCI and the IPL Governing Council will treat any breach of the advisory directives as a matter warranting disciplinary proceedings. He said that, without limiting the general scope of the warning, the following penalties or steps may be applied at the discretion of the BCCI / IPL Governing Council:
- Show-Cause Notice: A formal notice may be issued to the franchise and/or the individual concerned.
- Financial Penalties: Fines may be imposed on the franchise or the individual, as outlined in the IPL Regulations.
- Suspension or disqualification: The player, support staff member, or team official could be suspended or disqualified from the current IPL season and/or subsequent seasons.
- For legal violations: If the breach involves legal issues—such as the use of banned substances, violation of security protocols, or behaviour that amounts to harassment—the matter may be referred to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.
- Other action: Any additional measure considered suitable by the BCCI / IPL Governing Council in the interest of the competition and the sport.
Saikia’s signed seven-page note also advised franchises to take full cognisance of the advisory and ensure complete compliance. He added that the BCCI retains the right to conduct periodic audits and inspections to confirm adherence to the directives.
