New Delhi: Stating that the “revelation” in the recent IPL fixing scandal could only be the tip of the iceberg, former BCCI President Shashank Manohar called for the suspension of the IPL till a thorough probe by the CBI nails the culprits and the game is cleaned up.
Manohar was also critical of the decision to stage a part of the 2014 IPL in the UAE in April, which he says “will further tarnish the already murky waters surrounding the tournament”.
“The Supreme Courts observation is that there are very, very serious allegations made in the report and unless the BCCI president steps down, no fair probe can be conducted,” he said.
“Considering the latest developments in the BCCI, it is my considered opinion that until the faith of the people in the integrity of the game is restored, the IPL tournament for the year 2014 should be suspended,” Manohar was quoted as saying by Cricinfo.
“As regards suspending IPL 2014, the board members should remind themselves that money/profits is neither the aim nor the objective of the board. The primary duty is to promote a clean game of cricket,” he added.
“Cricket is the most popular game in India and enjoys a dedicated viewership of millions. This viewership is what generates income and fuels BCCI’s clout on an international level. If the faith of the public is not restored, the BCCI would be failing the public which has catapulted it to being the most influential player on the international scene,” Manohar said.
