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'Shah Rukh Khan without any provocation hurled abuses at MCA officials'
Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan was on Friday banned by the Mumbai Cricket Association for five years from entering the Wankhede Stadium for misbehaving with its officials after an IPL match in Mumbai.
- Listen to the SRK-MCA fracas at the Wankhede!
Khan, who, MCA officials alleged, manhandled a security guard of the association amd hurled the choicest of abuses on its officials after the IPL game between KKR and Mumbai Indians, on May 16, was threatened with a life ban by some officials before the managing committee toned it down to a five-year period.
The decision to debar Khan was taken by the MCA's managing committee at its emergency sitting, chaired by its president, Vilasrao Deshmukh.
"The Managing Committee of the MCA at its meeting today has condemned the behaviour of Shah Rukh Khan, who without any provocation hurled abuses at MCA officials and manhandled the security guard in the presence of BCCI-IPL officials," Deshmukh said.
'Shah Rukh had no regrets for his action and misbehaviour'
"Shah Rukh had no regrets for his action and misbehaviour. He, in fact, has justified his action of manhandling the security guard and abusing and threatening MCA officials. The managing committee is forced to ban Shah Rukh Khan from entering the Wankhede Stadium for a period of five years," said Deshmukh, before answering questions from journalists.
Asked whether there would be any change in MCA's stand if Khan apologises later, Deshmukh said the question does not arise.
"The ban is a message to everyone that if anyone behaves like that action will be taken," said Deshmukh, adding that more than 50 per cent of the members in the MCA managing committee were present when the unsavoury incident took place on Wednesday night.
'MCA is an independent body capable of taking the decision'
The MCA president said the Board of Control for Cricket in India has been informed of the incident, a fact corroborated by BCCI's Chief Administrative Office Ratnakar Shetty, who was present at the conference as one of the vice-presidents of the MCA.
Shetty said BCCI president N Srinivasan has received a complaint letter from the MCA about the incident involving Khan and the Board would now put in place some measures to avoid a repeat of such incidents.
"The complaint from the MCA has been received by the BCCI president. It will also lead to putting in place some necessary measures in the IPL," Shetty said.
Deshmukh said the MCA is an independent body and has full power to take a decision to impose a ban on an IPL team co-owner as it deemed fit, adding it was a unanimous decision to debar Khan by its managing committee members.
"MCA is an independent body capable of taking the decision. The incident happened in front of BCCI and IPL officials and more than 50 per cent of our managing committee members were witness to it. A message has been sent. We have informed the BCCI too," said Deshmukh.
'Final decision has to be taken by the BCCI'
Asked if the BCCI can reverse the decision to ban Khan, Deshmukh said, "We have taken a decision to protect the dignity of our association. BCCI is our parent body and we have written to them informing what had happened. We have no control over BCCI's decision. We are also an independent body, with the Wankhede being our property.
"If rules are violated, action will be taken. It does not depend who the individual is. It's a message to everyone whosoever he or she may be that stern action will be taken if there is any misbehaviour," he added.
IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla, however, said that a final decision will be taken by the BCCI.
"State bodies can only recommend but a final decision has to be taken by the BCCI. When the matter comes to BCCI, the Board will decide (on the ban)," he told reporters in New Delhi.
'How can he go inside the ground without proper accreditation'
Khan denied he misbehaved, saying he acted only after children, including his kids, were "manhandled" by the security staff.
"How can he go inside the ground without proper accreditation. Even I can't go inside the ground if not invited for presentation ceremony," Deshmukh said.
"We have handed a five-year ban on him and it was aunanimous decision. It applies to any match whether domestic or international at the Wankhede," he added.
'Khan did not make any representation to us, nor apologise'
Deshmukh said many MCA officials were present at the time of the fracas and they have expressed their strong views against Khan in the meeting.
"There were a lot of MCA officials present at the time of fracas. Nothing more was needed to prove that he (Khan) misbehaved."
Asked if there was still a chance of the ban being reconsidered, Deshmukh said, "There is no question of that. Khan did not make any representation to us, nor apologise. He could also have filed a police complaint but he did not do that.
"Whether BCCI, IPL or MCA, such kind of misbehaviour cannot be tolerated. We have also filed a police complaint and it's upto the police to act now," he added.
'The Assistant Commissioner of Police himself said Khan was drunk'
Shetty praised MCA officials for not reacting on the ground to the provocation from Khan.
"This is an unprecedented situation. We have never come across such incidents in the last five years at the Wankhede Stadium. It was an extreme restraint shown by the MCA officials in the face of abusive language being hurled on them. It could have led to an ugly incident. They should be appreciated," said Shetty.
On whether Khan was drunk when the incident took place as has been alleged by the MCA, its joint secretary Dalal said "yes".
"The Assistant Commissioner of Police himself was present and he said Khan was drunk. There is no need for a civilian to say it," Shetty added.