BCCI warns IPL teams over honey-trap risks, tightens hotel room access rules
The BCCI has issued a stern warning to IPL franchises regarding 'targeted compromise and honey-trapping,' enhancing security and access protocols. Stricter rules now govern hotel room access, unauthorised departures, and accreditation display. Franchise owners face new restrictions on interacting with players during matches, and vaping is strictly prohibited, with severe penalties for violations.
MUMBAI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has warned IPL franchises about the dangers of ‘targeted compromise and honey-trapping’ during the league, while simultaneously tightening security, access and behavioural protocols around players, support staff and franchise owners. In a detailed seven-page advisory sent to franchises on Thursday night, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia cautioned teams against situations that could lead to ‘serious legal allegations’, including those related to ‘sexual misconduct’, and asked franchises to remain ‘vigilant and proactive’ at all times. “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.
The possibility of incidents giving rise to serious legal allegations, including those under applicable laws on sexual misconduct, cannot be discounted. IPL franchise management must remain vigilant and proactive in mitigating such risks at all times,” Saikia said in the advisory. TOI has a copy of the seven-page guidelines issued to franchises.
Stricter hotel room access rules The BCCI has imposed stringent restrictions on access to players and support staff at team hotels, making prior written approval from the Team Manager mandatory for any outsider seeking entry into private rooms. “(a) No person, irrespective of their identity, relationship to the team member, or stated purpose, shall be permitted entry into a player's or support staff member's hotel room without the prior knowledge and explicit written approval of the Team Manager. (b) Guests and visitors shall be received exclusively in designated public areas of the hotel, such as the lobby or reception lounge.
No guest shall be escorted to private hotel rooms unless the Team Manager has specifically authorised the same in writing,” the advisory stated. Unauthorised departures from team hotels flagged The BCCI has also expressed concern over players and support staff leaving team hotels at “irregular hours” without informing designated Security Liaison Officers (SLOs) or Team Integrity Officers (TIOs). “Instances have been noted of players and support staff leaving team hotels at irregular hours without informing the designated Security Liaison Officers (SLOs) or Team Integrity Officer (TIOs).
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