BCCI warns IPL teams over honey-trap risks, tightens hotel room access rules

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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.

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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). Such departures create significant security vulnerabilities and expose individuals to risks that cannot be mitigated if the relevant personnel are uninformed,” Saikia said.The advisory has laid down clear movement protocols:

All players and support staff must inform and obtain clearance from the SLO and/or TIO before leaving the team hotel at any hour.

Any movement outside the hotel - personal, recreational or otherwise - must be communicated in advance to the Team Manager and SLO.

The SLO/TIO will maintain a contemporaneous log of all team movements, which can be inspected by the BCCI Operations Team.

Accreditation cards mandatory at all venues

The BCCI has also taken serious note of certain team members refusing or hesitating to display accreditation cards during security checks. “It has been brought to notice that certain team members have demonstrated reluctance in presenting their accreditation cards for verification when requested by authorised security personnel. This behaviour is unacceptable and constitutes a breach of basic event security protocol,” the advisory noted.The board has directed that:

All players, support staff, officials and franchise representatives must visibly wear accreditation cards at stadiums, hotels and practice facilities.

Accreditation cards must be produced immediately whenever sought by security personnel or IPL officials.

Any non-compliant individual may be denied access to the venue until the issue is resolved and the incident formally reported.

BCCI cracks down on owner-player interaction during matches

The advisory also addresses what the BCCI sees as repeated violations of the Player and Match Official Access (PMOA) protocol by IPL franchise owners. “The BCCI has noted that certain IPL franchise owners have not adhered to the Player and Match Official Access (PMOA) protocols during the course of matches,” Saikia wrote. “Specifically, instances have been observed of IPL franchise owners attempting to communicate with, approach, hug, or otherwise physically interact with players and team members during live match situations. Such conduct, however well-intentioned, directly contravenes established protocol and may constitute interference with team dynamics and match proceedings.”Under the revised directives:

Franchise owners and representatives are barred from directly interacting with players or team officials in the dugout, dressing room or playing area during matches.

All owner-level access to restricted zones must strictly comply with PMOA protocol.

Franchises have been asked to brief owners and associates on match-day conduct and access restrictions before every game.

Vaping and prohibited substances banned

One section of the advisory specifically deals with “Prohibition on Vaping and Use of Prohibited Substances.” The move comes after Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag was earlier fined for vaping in the dressing room during a match. “Instances of vaping within the dressing room and other restricted areas of tournament venues have been brought to the BCCI's attention. It is pertinent to note that the use of vapes and electronic cigarettes is prohibited under applicable Indian law,” the advisory stated. “Any individual found engaging in such conduct within tournament premises is not only violating BCCI and IPL regulations but may also be committing a cognisable offence under the applicable statutory framework.”The BCCI has therefore strictly prohibited:

Use of vapes, e-cigarettes and prohibited substances inside dressing rooms, dugouts, hotels and practice venues.

Possession or circulation of such substances within team premises during the tournament.

Team managements have also been asked to ensure that all players and support staff are “unequivocally informed” about the ban.

Responsibilities fixed on team management

The advisory places direct responsibility on Team Managers and authorised franchise officials for ensuring compliance with the new protocols.Franchises have been instructed to:

Conduct a mandatory team briefing within 48 hours of receiving the advisory.

Obtain written acknowledgement from all players and support staff confirming understanding of the directives.

Implement a formal guest approval system with daily written records.

Maintain movement logs in coordination with SLOs/TIOs.

Ensure franchise owners are fully briefed on PMOA protocols before every match.

Immediately report any breach to the IPL Operations Division.

Surprise checks and disciplinary action

The BCCI has also warned franchises that the IPL Operations Team may conduct surprise audits and inspections to assess compliance with the new guidelines. “The BCCI / IPL Operations Team may conduct periodic checks to assess adherence to the directives set forth in this Advisory. Team Managers are required to maintain records of all approved guest visits and hotel movements,” Saikia wrote.

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The board has further warned that any violation will be treated as a “serious disciplinary matter,” with possible consequences including:

Show-cause notices

Financial penalties

Suspension or disqualification from IPL seasons

Referral to law enforcement authorities in cases involving legal violations

Any additional action deemed necessary by the BCCI/IPL Governing Council

“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 note added.

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