Suspend IPL pending clean-up: Former BCCI Chief

Thursday, 27 March 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

ESPNCricinfo: Shashank Manohar, the former BCCI President, has called for the IPL to be suspended “until the faith of the people in the integrity of the game is restored”. Manohar - who was succeeded as President by N. Srinivasan - has also called for all IPL matches to be

investigated, and voiced his concern over the decision to stage part of the 2014 IPL in the UAE, which, he says, “will further tarnish the already murky waters surrounding the tournament”. “The Supreme Courts observation is that there are very, very serious allegations made in the report and unless the BCCI president steps down, no fair probe can be conducted,” Manohar said in a statement. “I had said long back, when the scandal broke, that all IPL matches should be investigated. I feel that a thorough probe needs to be done by CBI as the canvas of the activities extends throughout the country. “In view of the serious allegations, regarding betting, spot-fixing and match-fixing, the public at large has lost its faith in IPL games. “Considering the latest developments in the BCCI, it is my considered opinion that until the faith of the people in the integrity of the game is restored, the IPL tournament for the year 2014 should be suspended. As regards suspending IPL 2014, the board members should remind themselves that money/profits are neither the aim nor the objective of the board. The primary duty is to promote a clean game of cricket. “Many years back, a conscious decision was taken by the BCCI to abstain from matches in the Middle East in view of certain information regarding rampant betting and match-fixing. As far as I know, that decision has not been revoked. Due to the upcoming Lok Sabha (India’s lower house of Parliament) elections, the decision to shift IPL matches to the Middle East will further tarnish the already murky waters surrounding the tournament. I had already said earlier that all IPL matches should first be investigated and only then can all the erring parties be punished and the clean-up initiated. What has been lately revealed could well be the tip of the iceberg. “Cricket is the most popular game in India and enjoys a dedicated viewership of millions. This viewership is what generates income and fuels BCCI’s clout on an international level. If the faith of the public is not restored, the BCCI would be failing the public which has catapulted it to being the most influential player on the international scene.” Manohar’s statements came a day after the Supreme Court of India recommended that Srinivasan quit his role as BCCI president, as the first move towards a fair investigation of the IPL corruption saga. The court had given Srinivasan two days to make his decision, before it resumes hearing the case on Thursday.

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