BCCI warns IPL teams over honey-trap risks, tightens hotel room access rules

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has warned IPL franchises about the potential dangers of targeted honey-trapping during the league. In a communication to franchises, the BCCI secretary also cautioned against situations that could lead to serious allegations, including those related to sexual misconduct, and urged teams to remain vigilant.

"The BCCI draws the attention of all Franchises to the well-documented risks of targeted compromise and honey-trapping that pervade high-profile sporting environments. The possibility of incidents giving rise to serious legal allegations, including those under applicable laws on sexual misconduct, cannot be discounted. IPL franchise management must remain vigilant and proactive in mitigating such risks at all times," Devajit Saikia said in a seven-page guidelines issued to the franchises on Thursday evening.

Cricbuzz is in possession of the guidelines.

Saikia also said outsiders will not be allowed to IPL team members' rooms without prior knowledge and approval of team manager. "(a) No person, irrespective of their identity, relationship to the team member, or stated purpose, shall be permitted entry into a player's or support staff member's hotel room without the prior knowledge and explicit written approval of the Team Manager."

"(b) Guests and visitors shall be received exclusively in designated public areas of the hotel, such as the lobby or reception lounge. No guest shall be escorted to private hotel rooms unless the Team Manager has specifically authorised the same in writing."

Unauthorised Departure from Team Hotel

The BCCI has also taken note of the unauthorised movement by the players without informing the Security Liaison Officers (SLOs). "Instances have been noted of players and support staff leaving team hotels at irregular hours without informing the designated Security Liaison Officers (SLOs) or Team Integrity Officer (TIOs). Such departures create significant security vulnerabilities and expose individuals to risks that cannot be mitigated if the relevant personnel are uninformed," Saikia said and laid down some strict clauses for the players' movement.

All players and support staff are directed as follows:

(a) All players and support staff must inform and obtain clearance from the SLO and/or TIO before departing from the team hotel at any hour.

(b) Any planned movement outside the hotel, for personal, recreational, or any other purposes, must be communicated to the Team Manager and the SLO well in advance of the intended departure.

(c) The SLO/TIO shall maintain a contemporaneous log of all team movements, to be made available to the BCCI Operations Team upon request.

Display of Accreditation Cards

The BCCI has noted that some members of the teams were reluctant to display the accreditation cards. In this context, Saikia wrote, "It has been brought to notice that certain team members have demonstrated reluctance in presenting their accreditation cards for verification when requested by authorised security personnel. This behaviour is unacceptable and constitutes a breach of basic event security protocol."

All players and support staff are directed as follows:

(a) All players, support staff, team officials, and IPL franchise representatives must wear their accreditation cards visibly at all times within event premises, including the stadium, team hotel, and practice facilities.

(b) Accreditation cards must be displayed prominently at all times and presented for inspection without hesitation or objection whenever demanded by authorised security personnel, BCCI officials, or designated IPL Operations staff.

(c) Any individual found non-compliant with accreditation requirements will be denied access to the relevant venue until the matter is resolved, and the incident will be formally reported to the Team Manager and BCCI.

Adherence to PMOA Protocol by Franchise Owners

The BCCI has observed that certain IPL franchise owners have not adhered to the Player and Match Official Access (PMOA) Protocols. The BCCI has asked the owners to refrain from communicating with players/managers in the dugout during the course of the match.

"Specifically, instances have been observed of IPL franchise owners attempting to communicate with, approach, hug, or otherwise physically interact with players and team members during live match situations. Such conduct, however well-intentioned, directly contravenes established protocol and may constitute interference with team dynamics and match proceedings," the BCCI official communicated to the franchises.

All IPL franchise owners are directed as follows:

(a) IPL franchise owners and their representatives are strictly prohibited from communicating with or physically accessing players or team officials in the dugout, dressing room, or playing area during the course of a match, except through designated and approved channels.

(b) All IPL franchise owner-level access to restricted zones must strictly conform to the PMOA Protocol as communicated by the IPL Operations Division. Any deviation shall be treated as a serious violation.

(c) Franchise management is responsible for ensuring that IPL franchise owners and their associates are fully briefed on the applicable protocols prior to each match day.

On Vaping and Use of Prohibited Substances

There was a recent instance of a player vaping in the dressing room and in this context, the BCCI has come down heavily on the offenders. It says individuals found engaging in such conduct will be liable to cognisable offence under the applicable statutory framework.

"Instances of vaping within the dressing room and other restricted areas of tournament venues have been brought to the BCCI's attention. It is pertinent to note that the use of vapes and electronic cigarettes is prohibited under applicable Indian law. Any individual found engaging in such conduct within tournament premises is not only violating BCCI and IPL regulations but may also be committing a cognisable offence under the applicable statutory framework.

"Accordingly, the use of vapes, e-cigarettes, and all prohibited substances is strictly banned within all IPL tournament venues, including dressing rooms, dugouts, team hotels, and practice facilities," Saikia has written. He went on to add, "Furthermore, the team management must ensure that all players and support staff are unequivocally informed of this prohibition and that no such substances are permitted within any team premises during the tournament."

Responsibilities of team management

The BCCI holds the Team Manager and/or the authorised person from the Franchise jointly and severally responsible for ensuring full compliance with the directives contained in this Advisory. Team Managers are specifically directed to:

1. Mandatory Team Briefing: Convene a mandatory team briefing within forty-eight (48) hours of receipt of this Advisory to communicate its contents to all players and support staff.

2. Written Acknowledgement: Obtain a written acknowledgement from each player and support staff member confirming receipt and understanding of the directives set out herein.

3. Guest Approval System: Implement and maintain a guest approval system for all hotel visits, with written records of every approved guest maintained on a daily basis.

4. Movement Log: Maintain a movement log in coordination with the SLO / TIO, recording all departures from and returns to the team hotel.

5. PMOA Protocol Compliance: IPL franchise owners and their associates on PMOA and all related protocols prior to each match day, and ensure strict compliance therewith.

6. Reporting Obligation: Report any breach of the directives set out in this Advisory to the IPL Operations Division at the earliest opportunity.

Who is responsible for what: