Rajasthan and Punjab axed from IPL
The IPL’s short but fraught existence continues to provide as much drama off the field as on it, with the latest development the axing of the Rajasthan Royals and the Kings XI Punjab from the fourth season of the competition.
The BCCI have terminated the franchise agreements with the two teams, which have been involved in the IPL since its inaugural tournament in 2008, due to issues surrounding their ownership while the new Kochi franchise potentially face the same fate if they cannot sort out their own ownership problems.
This latest announcement follows the BCCI, and IPL, last month severing all ties with former IPL chairman Lalit Modi, who is currently the subject of corruption allegations.
Modi was initially suspended as head of the IPL at the conclusion of this year’s competition by an extra-ordinary meeting of the BCCI. At the time, the allegations levelled at Modi by members of the BCCI included issues surrounding broadcasting rights, alleged rigging of the bids for the two new IPL franchises (Kochi and Pune), the leaking of confidential information to the media and issues relating to the initial bids for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Punjab-c833.
Rajasthan and Punjab now seem certain to be excluded from IPL4, but with both franchises considering legal action to overturn their terminations from the IPL, the next staging competition is, much like the conclusion of this year’s tournament, poised to be overshadowed by the to-ings and fro-ings behind the scenes.
“Rajasthan Royals are shocked and surprised by the termination notice today, particularly without issuance of the show cause notice described to the media ten days ago, which was never received,” the Rajasthan Royals said in a statement yesterday.
“Naturally we will need some time to review the termination notice sent today, such that we can provide a considered response. We have always conducted ourselves transparently in accordance with our contract terms and only desire fair and unbiased treatment from the BCCI. If the only way to achieve this is through legal recourse, then that is a shame for those that seek to invest in sport in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750.”
Punjab have reacted in a similar manner, with a statement posted on the club’s website yesterday stating in part: “KXIP strongly believes that this decision is unfair and not in the collaborative spirit which the IPL has operated in. KXIP hopes that the BCCI will engage in a productive dialogue to resolve all misunderstandings.
“KXIP has today received the formal communication from the BCCI which is now being studied by our legal team. We look forward to presenting the facts and answering any misunderstandings that the BCCI may have.”
Rajasthan were the winners of the inaugural IPL competition, and have included international cricketers such as Shane Warne, Graeme Smith, Shane http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Morne-Morkel-c77722 among their number, while Punjab had in previous seasons enlisted the services of Kumar Sangakkara and Brett Lee.
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