The allegations of “spot-fixing” against three Indian players of the Indian Premier League (IPL) were merely a “tip of the iceberg” and should be regarded as a “wake-up call” by global cricket authorities, Lalit Modi, former IPL chairman told The Hindu .
Mr. Modi said he was “not surprised” given the amount of money that was floating around and a lack of any mechanism to monitor players.
Mr. Modi, it may be recalled, was forced out of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) because of allegations of tax evasion and corruption.
Calling for deterrent action against those involved in spot-fixing, he said: “It is time for world cricket authorities to wake up and formulate a tough policy.”
The only way to rid the game of such malpractices was a policy of “zero tolerance” and strong governance, both of which were lacking now.
“I was the target of underworld because I had zero tolerance on match-fixing,” he said.
Asked whether there were any whispers about match fixing or spot-fixing when he was incharge of IPL, Mr Modi said: “No, never. The IPL never had an issue with match-fixing in my time. The tournament was absolutely clean.”
He said the Delhi police had not been in touch with him, and he had no idea who might have masterminded the betting syndicate behind the alleged spot-fixing.
Accusing the BCCI of lack of governance and transparency, he said: “There is no mechanism now, there is no governance in IPL.. Money was always there in sports worldwide but we took all precautions in IPL.”
Mr. Modi was particularly critical of the BCCI president N. Srinivasan saying that such things were inevitable when global cricket was sought to be run from one Indian city.
“Global cricket is run out of Chennai and nobody is talking about Srinivasan's involvement in Chennai Super Kings.”
Mr Modi, who was suspended by the BCCI in April 2010 for alleged financial irregularities, said he planned to return to India but only when he felt “secure.”
“Of course, I plan to return. I will return as soon as I feel secure,” he said.
