A 'fixed' press conference?

Shobha Warrier in Madras

The press conference of the disciplinary committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India at the SPIC House, to announce to the world the punishment dished out to the cricketers who were found guilty of match-fixing, turned out to be a 'fixed' one!

BCCI president A C Muthiah was to address the press at six in the evening, but there was no sight of him even at 6.30 pm. Slowly, the 'caged journalists' got details of the punishment meted out to the alleged match-fixers on their mobile phones. We were told that television channels flashed the news, press agencies reported the news, and even All India Radio carried the news, all while the AIR correspondent sat inside the room waiting for Muthiah to come and address the press. In short, the whole world except those who waited for Muthiah knew what decision the board had arrived at!

Muthiah did address the press, but more than an hour after the stipulated time, and more than half an hour after the news was leaked. When the irate journos asked him whether the press conference was also fixed, he said, "no", he had not told anyone the decision! He said he didn't know how the outside world knew what exactly was written in the report.

Ram Prasad, another member of the disciplinary committee, said somebody could have tapped their telephones!!

Muthiah and Ram Prasad had met at 4.45 pm on Tuesday in Madras and took some "unanimous decisions". BCCI vice-president Kamal Moraka, another member of the three-member disciplinary committee, did not attend the meeting. Muthiah said he talked to him over telephone but did not discuss the decisions he and Ram Prasad arrived at.

After the CBI submitted its report, titled 'Report on Cricket match-fixing and related malpractices' in October this year, the BCCI commissioned K Madhavan to make further enquiries into allegations of match-fixing. Madhavan gave opportunities to former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin, Ajay Sharma, Ajay Jadeja, Nayan Mongia, Manoj Prabhakar, Dr.Ali Irani and groundsman Ram Adhar to air their views on the CBI report. He then submitted his report to the BCCI.

After that, the above mentioned were given notice to appear before the disciplinary committee of the board on November 28, in New Delhi. They submitted their explanations at the hearing.

Muthiah said the proceedings were recorded and signed by the members of the disciplinary committee and the players and the physiotherapist.

"After having considered the matter in its entirety and also on the basis of the submission made by them before the committee, the committee is of the opinion that the players and the physiotherapist are guilty as found by Madhavan. The committee is of the opinion that they have conducted themselves in a manner which is prejudicial to the interests of the game of cricket. While taking its decision, the committee has also kept in mind the contributions by them to cricket," Muthiah said.

The decisions, as read out by Muthiah:

1. Mohammad Azharuddin is debarred from playing any cricket matches conducted or authorized by ICC/BCCI or affiliated associations, and also debarred from holding any position in ICC/BCCI or any of its affiliated associations for life commencing from the 5th December, 2000. He will also be not eligible for any benefit matches allotted/conducted by the BCCI or its affiliated members, and the BCCI's contribution to his benevolent fund accrued as of today, will be forfeited with effect from the 5th of December, 2000.

2. Ajay Sharma is debarred from playing any cricket matches conducted or authorized by ICC/BCCI or affiliated associations and also debarred from holding any position in ICC/BCCI or any of its affiliated associations, for life commencing from the 5th of December, 2000. He will also be not eligible for any benefit matches allotted/conducted by the BCCI or its affiliated members, and the BCCI's contribution to his benevolent fund accrued as of today, will be forfeited with effect from the 5th of December 2000.

3. Ajay Jadeja is debarred from playing any cricket matches conducted or authorized by ICC/BCCI or any of its affiliated associations, for a period of five years commencing from the 5th of December, 2000.

4. Manoj Prabhakar.... for a period of five years commencing from the 5th of December 2000.

5. Dr.Ali Irani will be debarred for a period of five years, commencing from the 5th of December 2000.

6. Nayan Mongia is exonerated.

7. Ram Adhar is exonerated.

Mail Cricket Editor