ICC President Sharad Pawar Remains Neutral Over Modi Incident
The International Cricket Council President, Sharad Pawar made it clear in a press conference that there would be "no question of protecting anybody". Pawar was referring to the Lalit Modi incident, where it was suggested that Paway might favor Modi because of their previous relationship.
Pawar, the former Board of Cricket Control in India, dismissed all such talk, saying that no one, including himself would interfere in the “fair trial”. “If somebody has committed a mistake, he would have to face the music. No question of protecting anybody, not Modim not anybody.” Pawar said.
“IPL, the product, has been a success in this country. It has established that http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 can also organize such things, and there he [Modi] has taken lots of pain, there are no two opinions about that. But his style of functioning has become controversial and the present board feels it should go in-depth [probe]. The board has deputed a committee; let us see what the outcome is. From what I know of BCCI it will take an appropriate decision and take steps to improve their functioning and image. I am confident that he has to be given a fair trial. But I can't interfere either way.” Pawar continued.
Pawar said he realized that Modi had worked really hard to make the Indian Premier League a success, but admitted that most senior officials of the IPL did not approve of his methods. His way of functioning came under criticism and he was charged with “irregularities”. However, now the board has stepped in and according to how the investigation by the deputed committee goes, the matter could be settled sooner than later. But Pawar put his faith in the BCCI, saying it was a neutral party and he had full faith in their decision – even if it was against Modi.
Modi, who was suspended following allegations of committing major irregularities and was conspiring to set up a Twenty20 “rebel” league in England, refused to accept the decision of the BCCI. He accused the disciplinary committee of not being fit to pass a judgment on him, since the members on the committee held a grudge against him, especially Chirayu Amin.
He demanded they be removed and replaced with a neutral body. When this was refused he took the matter to the Bombay High Court, he was disappointed when his petition was dismissed and he was asked to appear at the BCCI’s disciplinary hearing.
Thought to be supporting Modi, Pawar made it clear he was neutral and would stand by the BCCI’s decision. “All of us - myself, Modi and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Manohar-c74222 - have worked together as a group and have contributed something. But the present set-up feels something has gone wrong. So until these [wrongdoings] are not established, it is not proper for me to support or oppose one against the other. Basically I am keeping away from all this.” He admitted that this incident had received negative media attention but he was confident the popular IPL would not lose any viewers over this unfortunate episode. “I don't think IPL's overall position will be damaged. But definitely, in the mind of cricket-loving people within India and outside, they have started thinking in a different way that there seems to be some wrong things happening.”
“I don't think we have come to the conclusion [that it is a scandal]. There is difference between allegation and a scandal. One has to see how far these allegations are correct. The BCCI is going into details and it will definitely come to a conclusion and then we can say something.” Pawar told reporters.
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