Cover Story: IPL Scandal: Ways to Curb Betting & Match Fixing

Intro: Mudgal Committee Report has recommented some instructions to  curb betting & Match Fixing

a. We would recommend that apart from instructions in the local language understood by the concerned players, the BCCI need not spend enormous sums of money on ICC deputed anti corruption instructors and reputed retired armed forces and police officers from India should be asked to do it after due training and sensitization in Indian languages;

b. In order to instill some fear in the players and support personnel, an essential requirement is that leads and information that are received from players and other personnel should be kept confidential but must be necessarily be investigated and allegations should be put to a rest. The current practice of not investigating unless an outside agency (like media) brings forth a sporting fraud seems to be a reactive approach rather than a proactive approach;

c. In order to detect sporting fraud, it has been pointed out by most investigating agencies that they lack the tools to know the name of the bookies, the amount that has been bet, detect a sporting fraud unless an intelligence from other sources like phone tapping is available amongst other drawbacks. They have stated that legalising sports betting would reduce the element of black money and the influence of the underworld besides helping them in detection and focusing their investigation;

d. An approach needs to be devised where different law enforcement agencies and the anti-corruption unit of the BCCI can share intelligence and conduct effective investigation;

e. The investigative wing of the BCCI, should be clearly defined and no person holding office in the BCCI, should have the power to curtail, restrict or define any such investigation;

f. IPL is a good format and has benefitted a number of players therefore there is a need to protect it. However in the interest of the league, IPL should be a stand – alone commercial entity with representatives from the franchises, BCCI, broadcasters and independent professional directors forming a part of the governing body of the IPL;

g. BCCI should have a system of registering player agents. Before registering player agents there should be an examination of the agents to confirm their understanding of the rules and regulations of BCCI and IPL. Besides this the antecedents of the player agent should also be verified so that dubious elements of society with links to bookies or the underworld are not given a registration as a player agent;

h. Player agents should not be allowed to travel with the team or stay in the same hotel as the team, especially when it is in proximity to the date of a match being played by a player who the agent represents;

i. Players should not be allowed to own any stakes or interests in player agencies or companies involved with cricket unless such interests are in the nature of sponsorship or endorsements. Such interests should be declared by the player or his agent to the BCCI, within 15 days of such interest accruing. In particular employment of the players in the franchise group companies should be avoided;

j. Some franchises have drafted a code of conduct which regulates the activities of the players outside the ground during the IPL season. Any person who wishes to be associated with the team that is, wants to be a part of the dugout(s), team meetings, strategy discussions, regular player interactions during the IPL, also needs to sign the code of conduct and be liable to similar obligations as the players.