In a bid to ensure absolute clarity on the constitutional amendments carried out by the IOA to bar charged-framed officials, the International Olympic Committee on Friday issued a guideline on how to implement the clause to avoid “unnecessary speculation or doubtful interpretation.”
In a letter to the IOA, the IOC Director General Christophe De Kepper has asked the IOA to properly ratify all the interpretations in their next meeting failing which the governing body reserved the right to impose necessary sanctions.
The letter stated a list of clause that the IOC expects the Indian body to implement. It says: “The member (charge-sheeted person) concerned must resign immediately (and, if not, will be provisionally suspended) and will not be eligible to run for election. This mechanism must be implemented automatically and will be valid for as long as the charges are framed by the Court, as mentioned in this clause.”
“The fact that ‘the case will then be referred to the IOA Ethics Commission for further guidance’ (i) does not call into question the automatic mechanism mentioned before; and (ii) does not give any authority to the IOA Ethics Commission to recommend to clear or reinstate a member if such member is still faces charges framed by the Court, as mentioned in this clause,” it further stated.
De Kepper also said that the IOA Ethics Commission may recommend further sanctions against the member concerned but it cannot reduce, soften or dilute the automatic sanctions, mentioned in this clause for as long as the charges are framed by the court.
The letter made it clear that if the clause is interpreted or implemented differently, the IOC “reserves the right to take the necessary measures and/or sanctions.”
