Indian cricket board seeks proof to back allegation of spot-fixing in IPL

BCCI chief N Srinivasan promises to take story about Twenty20 league that appeared on India TV very seriously.

Crowds are loving the Indian Premier League but authenticity of some of the action has come under media scrutiny. Bikas Das / AP Photo

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has asked for footage from a television station alleging that spot-fixing is occurring in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

News channel India TV claims to have carried out a sting operation on various players who have been caught on a hidden camera confessing to spot-fixing.

The channel went on to claim that not only was the cash-rich league tainted but that even first-class domestic matches were fixed.

The Indian cricket board was quick comment on the allegations, with BCCI president N Srinivasan saying: "We will ensure that the integrity of the game is protected. BCCI believes in the integrity of the game.

"We will have to have the tapes and the moment we see it, whoever is the player, we will take very, very strict action.

"If there is any truth in it, it is a fact that we will take strictest action, even if it means suspending the player immediately.

"But [that has to be] based on some evidence and fact, for which I have asked the [chief operating officer] of IPL Sundar Raman to request for the tape."

However, he went on to add that special measures were taken to keep the IPL free of any such issues.

"IPL, we believe, is clean. We have got the anti-corruption unit covering it. They are in charge of the security.

"We have got Ravi Swami, who was heading BCCI's anti-corruption unit, to take it up for us.

"People can make allegations. But if there is any shred of evidence, we will take action."

Sanjay Jagdale, the BCCI secretary, in an official statement said an urgent governing council (GC) meeting was being called to investigate the claims.

"The BCCI will not tolerate any violation of regulations and any act of corruption," he said.

"The complete footage of the 'sting operation' will be sought and examined thoroughly. The GC will meet on an emergent basis to review the footage and take appropriate strict action."

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