Teams gave IPL ‘integrity officers’ expensive gifts
In a letter to the BCCI during IPL-7, Sawani informed that two integrity officers had reported receiving gifts from CSK and SRH repectively. (Source: BCCI)
ANTI-CORRUPTION officials connected with Chennai Super Kings and Sun Risers Hyderabad had informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) chief Ravi Sawani that they were given expensive gifts by the two franchises — a watch and a Mac Air laptop — last year.
After the spot-fixing scandal of 2013, an integrity official was attached with each IPL team. In a letter to the BCCI during IPL-7, Sawani informed that two integrity officers had reported receiving gifts.
“Major I C Yadav, who was with Sun Risers Hyderabad was given a Mac Air Laptop as a gift whereas Brigadier (retd) Vijay Singh, who was attached with the Chennai Super Kings team as an Integrity Officer during IPL-7, had reported the receipt of a Titan Xylys Watch from the Franchise as a gift,” Sawani writes.
According to Sawani, the Anti-Corruption Unit appreciated the gesture as also the spirit in which the gift was given, but as a matter of principle the Integrity Officers cannot accept such expensive gifts. “We in the ACU have to follow the highest standards of integrity ourselves before we ask anyone else to keep clean. I hope you will appreciate our stand in this regard,” he added.
CSK and Sun Risers Hyderabad did not respond to emails seeking comment.
In another communication by Sawani to BCCI, a well-known domestic umpire Sanjay Hazare also features in the report. The issue is related to a Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Daredevils game in Delhi on May 3, 2014 in which Hazare was a field umpire.
Match referee Andy Pycroft brought to notice the on-field conduct of umpire Hazare in not referring a close run-out appeal in the DD innings for Kevin Pietersen and another similar stumping appeal against Sanju Samson during the RR innings. Both the decisions went in favor of DD.
“Andy stated that the norm is to refer all such close appeals to the third umpire who should advise the on-field umpire after reviewing the TV footage of the specific ball from different angles. At least in the first instance, clearly the decision of Sanjay Hazare was erroneous. Even in the second decision, perhaps the benefit of doubt should have gone to the batsman. While the ICC’s ACSU and BCCI’s ACU will be investigating this further the matter is brought to your notice for such action as deemed fit,” Sawani wrote.
Interestingly, Hazare was dropped after he officiated in the next game as third umpire between Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bangalore. He was then removed from the panel of umpires during IPL-7. Back in domestic games, Hazare didn’t earn any elite games and officiated mostly Group B and C games. His name didn’t appear on the list of this season’s umpires too. When The Indian Express asked Hazare for the reason behind him being sidelined, he didn’t respond.
Source:: Indian Express
