BCCI finds ICC anti-corruption at IPL too expensive

Updated on: 02 May,2009 08:05 AM IST |
A Correspondent |

Why isn't there an International Cricket Council anti-corruption squad present at the Indian Premier League in South Africa?

Why isn't there an International Cricket Council anti-corruption squad present at the Indian Premier League in South Africa? It's because the bosses of Indian cricket believed that the fee quoted by the ICC - US$1.2 million, was too high, according to Cricinfo website.

However, the BCCI finally agreed to the offer in April when reminded about it during the ICC's executive board meeting in Dubai on April 17, the day before the IPL kicked off in Cape Town. Obviously, it was too late for the anti-corruption cell to kick off operations.
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According to the website, the issue was raised at BCCI's last working committee meeting in Mumbai where members were told about the cost factor.

Only last week ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat was quoted as saying, "The ICC board has consistently said it cannot afford to be complacent (about the risk of corruption in Twenty20 cricket).

Fear
"We are mindful that with Twenty20 cricket there is great excitement and money. Put those ingredients into a pot and there is a higher concern." "The BCCI's position when it comes to the IPL is quite puzzling," a state association official, who attended BCCI working committee meeting, said in the report for which N Srinivasan, the BCCI secretary and Lalit Modi, the IPL chairman, were not available for comment.

The BCCI have not violated any rule by not embracing ICC's anti-corruption methods but their reluctance on the grounds of high costs is surprising considering their wealth as well as the finance the IPL generates.