Sachin Tendulkar, on Sunday, denied allegations of conflict of interest levelled against him, claiming to have neither "received any compensation" nor holding any decision-making role in IPL franchise Mumbai Indians (MI).
Tendulkar filed a 14-point written response, a copy of which is in DNA's possession, to a notice sent by Ombudsman-cum-Ethics Officer Justice (retd) DK Jain.
The notice was with regards to a conflict of interest complaint filed by the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association member Sanjeev Gupta. According to him, Tendulkar and VVS Laxman were performing dual roles of "support staff" of their respective IPL franchises MI and Sunrisers Hyderabad, even as they served as members of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC).
"At the outset, the Noticee (Tendulkar) denies the contents of the Complaint in totality (except the statements specifically admitted herein). No part of the Complaint should be deemed to be admitted by the Noticee for lack of specific denials," Tendulkar wrote in his response.
"The Noticee (Tendulkar) has received no pecuniary benefit/ compensation from the Mumbai Indians IPL Franchise in his capacity as the Mumbai Indians 'ICON' since his retirement, and is certainly not employed with the Franchise in any capacity.
"He does not occupy any position, nor has he taken any decision (including selection of team players) which could qualify as being in governance or management of the Franchise. Accordingly, there is no conflict of interest, either under the BCCI Rules or otherwise," Tendulkar added. As far as his role in the CAC is concerned, Tendulkar mentioned that he was appointed as a member of the BCCI's committee in 2015, which was only after his involvement with the MI.
"Accordingly, the BCCI aware of the Noticee's association with the Mumbai Indians Franchise at the time of his appointment to the CAC."
Tendulkar, in his disclosure, further makes it clear that the role of an icon is not a position either in the management or the governance of the franchise.
"His role is limited to providing guidance to the Franchise team by sharing his insights, learnings and working closely with the younger members in the team to help them realise their true potential."
Tendulkar termed Gupta's question of him sitting in the team's dugout as "absurd".
"If the Complainant's absurd logic were to be applied, a physiotherapist, trainer or a masseur would also be qualified as "management" of the Franchise," Tendulkar said.
