Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly fall under the new conflict of interest rules of the BCCI

The Supreme Court of India appointed a special Committee of Administrators (COA) with an objective to revamp the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) once and for all. They are not only monitoring and investigating the financial decisions of the board but were also rewriting the constitution of the BCCI. It aims at attaining transparency in the functioning of the Indian cricket board and accountability as well.

As per the new conflict of interest an individual cannot be the coach of the national team as well as an IPL team. The illustration explaining the clause clearly relates to India A and U19 coach Rahul Dravid who is also at the helm of affairs at the Delhi Daredevils in the IPL, it reads: “A is the coach of a team. He is also coach of an IPL franchisee. A is hit by conflict of interest.”

Another former Indian captain who could be stuck in the conflict of interest matter is Sourav Ganguly. He is a member of the IPL Governing Council and is the co-owner of the Kolkata-based football team in the Indian Super League, Atletico de Kolkata. The other part owner of the team there Sanjeev Goenka also owns an IPL team the Rising Pune Supergiants.

Under the ‘direct and indirect interest,’ the illustration used to explain the clause states: “C is a Member of the IPL Governing Council. The IPL enters into a contract with a new franchisee, the Managing Director of which is C’s partner in an independent commercial venture. C is hit by Indirect Conflict of Interest,”

Here are all the Conflict of Interest rules as stated on the BCCI website:

Any Member of the Managing Committee of the Affiliated Units of the BCCI.

Near relative shall mean and include father, mother, husband, wife, son, daughter in law, daughter, son in law brother or sister.

(A) Administrator – Conflict with the BCCI

A. An Administrator or his near relative, shall not have any commercial interest in any activities/tournaments of the BCCI including Indian Premier League.

B. An Administrator or his near relative shall not be on the pay roll of an IPL Franchise.

C. Any Administrator or their near relatives should not be associated with any Company/ Organization that has entered into a Commercial Agreement with the BCCI. Association shall not mean any near relative who is working as a regular employee of the Company/Organisation.

However, this will not apply to small holding of shares in a public limited company.

D. An Administrator shall not draw any financial benefits from the BCCI except as per the TA and DA rules for BCCI, ICC, ACC meetings or meetings with Foreign Boards,and any retirement benefit he/she may be entitled for as a former Cricketer/Umpire or any other capacity or such other expenses that may be incurred in carrying out his/her duties.

E. An Administrator or his near relative shall not be associated with a Player Management Company or a Player Agent in any form either Honorary or Paid.

1. (B) Administrator – Conflict with the Affiliated Unit

A. Administrator of an affiliated unit or his near relative shall not have any commercial interest in any activities / tournaments of the affiliated unit.

B. Any Administrator in an affiliated unit or their near relatives should not be associated with any Company/Organization that has entered into a Commercial Agreement with that Affiliated Unit. However this shall not apply to any near relative working as a regular employee with the Company/Organisation.

C. An Administrator in an affiliated unit shall not draw any financial benefits except as per the TA and DA rules for attending metings of the Association or BCCI or any other official meetings, any retirement benefits he/she may be entitled for as a former cricketer/umpire or any other capacity or such expenses that may be incurred in the carrying out of his/her duties.

D. An Administrator in an affiliated unit or his/her near relative shall not be associated with a Player Agent or a Player Management Company in any form either Honorary or Paid.

2. Cricketers – Retired

A. Cricketers on the payroll of the BCCI or holding contracts with BCCI shall not be on any BCCI Committees including the IPL GC.

B. Cricketers considered for appointment as a Match Refree, Coach of Indian teams or a National Selector should have retired from all forms of cricket.

C. Cricketers appointed as Coaches of Indian Teams or National Selectors shall not be associated with any private coaching academies during their tenure.

D. Cricketers appointed as the Coaches of Indian Teams or National Selectors shall not be associated in any form with a Player Management Company or a Player Agent either Honorary or Paid.

E. Cricketers appointed as the Coaches of the Indian Teams or National Selectors shall not have any contract with Print or Electronic media during their tenure. They cannot write columns.

F. Cricketers on the Managing Committee of an Affiliated Unit of BCCI shall not be considered for appointment as a National Selector.

3. Cricketers – Current

A. Current Cricketers shall declare the name and details of his/her Player Agent or the Player Management Company.

B. Current Cricketers shall not have any business interest in a Player Management Company.

C. Current Cricketers shall not have any conflict arising with the BCCI sponsors including the apparel sponsor.

D. Current Cricketers shall not accept any Controlling position in any Commercial Organization having a contract with the BCCI or its State Unit.

4. BCCI Staff

A. Staff employed by the BCCI shall not be on the Managing Committee of an Affiliated Unit of BCCI.

B. Staff employed by the BCCI shall not be associated in any form with any organization/company/institute/agency that has Commercial Relations with the BCCI or Affiliated unit.

C. Staff employed with the BCCI shall not associated with any media either print or electronic including writing columns during their tenure with BCCI.

D. Staff employed with the BCCI or their near relative shall not be associated with any Player Agent or a Player Management Company in any form.

E. Staff employed with BCCI or their near relatives shall not be associated with any organization working for the Board.

F. Staff employed or contracted with the BCCI shall not handle any matter in any Department/Division / Field in the BCCI if he or his close partners or an Organisation/ Company/Partnership that he or his near relatives is/ are part of or engaged in activities of a nature that may derive advantage on account of his operations/activities in BCCI.

5. Conflict of interest relating to team management and selection matters

A. No member of the selection committee including the Convenor and the invitees I.e the Coach or Captain, or their near relatives shall have any financial interest or business association with any player considered for selection to any team selected for and on behalf of BCCI.

B. No Member of the Team Management of any Team of the BCCI or their near relatives shall have any financial interest or business association with any member who is a part of the Squad selected for a team he is a part of.

C. No player who is a part of a Team selected by the BCCI or his near relatives shall have any business association with, or financial interest in any venture with either an Affiliated Unit, another player who is a part of the Team, Team Management or any Administrator.

Appointment of Ombudsman

At every AGM, the Board shall appoint an Ombudsman to decide issues relating to Conflict of Interest. His tenure will be for one year, renewable at the next AGM.

Every complaint regarding Conflict of Interest shall be decided by the Ombudsman appointed by the Board within a period of 30 days from the receipt of the complaint. The decision of the Ombudsman will be final and binding.