The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has issued a firm advisory to IPL franchises, taking them to task over a range of alleged breaches involving behaviour standards, team discipline, and security arrangements.
In a seven-page communication delivered on Thursday to all ten teams, the BCCI warned that the issues highlighted could potentially cause “significant reputational harm” not only to the IPL, but also to the concerned franchise and the board itself.
Signed by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, the document does not cite any specific franchise, player, or team official by name. However, it outlines misconduct and protocol failures that have allegedly occurred during the ongoing season, including:
- Unauthorised visitors being allowed into hotel rooms
- Franchise owners personally interacting with players and team staff in restricted areas during live match hours
- Vaping at the venue
- Players or staff leaving team hotels without authorisation
Saikia wrote in the advisory that the BCCI had become aware of “incidents of misconduct and protocol violations” involving players, support staff, and team officials during the current IPL season. He added that if such matters are not addressed, they could lead to serious reputational damage to the tournament, the relevant franchise, and the BCCI, and could also expose individuals and franchises to legal risk and serious security threats.
The warning arrives shortly after Saikia and IPL Governing Council chair Arun Dhumal had each separately stated that the BCCI’s anti-corruption and security watchdog had flagged multiple “anomalies” linked to the presence of unauthorised personnel within the team environment.
Room access – ‘Risks of targeted compromise and honey-trapping’
The advisory says multiple instances were brought to light in which “certain players and support staff members” permitted access to their hotel rooms without prior clearance from the team manager, a requirement laid down by protocol.
Under the stated process, requests for access to a player or staff member’s room must be routed through the team manager, who then grants approval and informs the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) representative travelling with the franchise. The BCCI noted that in several cases, the Team Manager was reportedly unaware that such visitors were present.
Looking ahead, the BCCI instructed that anyone seeking entry into a player’s or support staff member’s room will require written authorisation from the team manager. The advisory makes clear that this rule applies to family members, friends, and any other person. It also states that guests and visitors should be received at the hotel lobby rather than being taken into team-designated areas.
The board stressed that it is essential to keep team-used hotel rooms and spaces off-limits to unauthorised individuals, citing the harm that corrupt elements have caused at various sporting events.
“The BCCI draws the attention of all franchises to the well-documented risks of targeted compromise and honey-trapping that pervade high-profile sporting environments,” Saikia said. He added that the possibility of incidents escalating into serious legal allegations, including under laws related to sexual misconduct, cannot be ruled out, and urged IPL franchise management to stay vigilant and proactive in reducing such risks at all times.
Owners attempting to “approach, hug, interact” with players during match
The BCCI also expressed concern about “certain franchise owners” trying to interact with players or team members during a match that is still in progress—something the IPL protocol does not allow. The advisory notes that team owners are permitted to meet and mingle only after the match ends.
The document states that instances have been seen where IPL franchise owners attempted to communicate with players, approach them, hug them, or otherwise physically engage during live match situations. It warned that even if such actions are meant positively, they still violate established protocol and may disrupt team functioning and match proceedings.
The BCCI further said franchise owners 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. The advisory warned that any breach of the Player and Match Officials Area (PMOA) rules will be treated as a “serious violation.”
Another serious issue flagged by the BCCI relates to the use of vapes and other prohibited substances at the ground, including inside dressing rooms. It specifically references Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag, who was penalised after admitting to vaping in the dressing room during the match against Punjab Kings in New Chandigarh last month.
Since vaping and electronic cigarettes are prohibited in India, the BCCI cautioned that using them is not only a breach of IPL protocol, but also “committing a cognisable offence” under the applicable legal framework.
The advisory states that vapes, e-cigarettes, and “all prohibited substances” are barred from venues, dressing rooms, dugouts, team hotels, and training areas.
‘Risks real, foreseeable, and, if not mitigated, deeply damaging’
The BCCI also informed franchises that it will carry out random checks to confirm compliance with the guidelines mentioned in the advisory.
“The BCCI and the IPL Governing Council wish to make unequivocally clear that any breach of the directives set out in this Advisory shall be treated as a serious disciplinary matter,” the document said. It added that outcomes could range from the issuance of a show-cause notice to financial penalties, suspension, or even disqualification from the IPL during the current season or subsequent editions.
The BCCI further said that in cases involving legal breaches—such as the use of prohibited substances, violation of security protocol, or conduct that amounts to harassment—it will direct the matter to the relevant law enforcement authorities. The board clarified that the purpose of the advisory is not to “restrict” franchises, but to “protect” all stakeholders from risks that are “real, foreseeable,” and, if not addressed, “deeply damaging.”
