IPL declines ACSU help

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has turned down the International Cricket Council’s offer to help in dealing with the threat of match-fixing and betting in the cash-rich tournament, now underway in South Africa.

“The IPL opted not to use the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit. It is a domestic tournament and there’s no compulsion to use ACSU. Every event has its own protocol and the IPL organisers preferred to use their own staff,” an ICC spokesman said on Thursday.

“The issue of anti-corruption measures was one that was brought to the attention of the organisers of the IPL by the ICC ahead of the tournament,” he added.

The ASCU is headed by former London Metropolitan Police chief Sir Paul Condon. It was formed after the 2000 match-fixing scandal. The ASCU is assigned the job of keeping an eye on the visitors to the players’ dressing rooms and team hotels during international matches.

Even last year, the IPL had not taken the ICC’s help. Condon had reportedly told the ICC last year that the IPL is a place for potential betting and gambling. Condon could not be reached for reaction as he does not talk to the media.

Meanwhile, ICC  CEO Haroon Lorgat played down IPL’s refusal. “It is not dissimilar to county cricket, in that it is a domestic tournament, and the onus for matters such as anti-corruption and doping lie with the home board,” Lorgat said. However, he was quick to point out that T20 is prone to corruption. 

Lalit Modi could not be reached for comment but he reportedly said that they were using the same security model as last year wherein 10 officers from police and military backgrounds were picked and briefed by ACSU prior to the start of the first edition of the tournament.
(With inputs from agencies)