Franchisees’ fate in the balance
An emergency meeting of the IPL Governing Council on Sunday will decide the fate of three franchisees — Kings XI Punjab, Rajasthan Royals and Kochi — that are embroiled in an ownership row.
BCCI president Shashank Manohar has called an emergency meeting of the IPL’s regulating body to discuss the ownership row and other alleged irregularities. According to sources, although no notices were served on the three franchisees as was indicated by Manohar, the Board of Control for Cricket in India wants to settle the issue at the earliest.
“There are several irregularities and breach of terms and conditions of the franchise agreement. All the three errant franchises need to get their houses in order before the next player auctions are held in November,” Manohar had said on September 29 after the Annual General Body Meeting .
According to the BCCI, when the bid for the Kochi team was submitted, it was given by individuals who came together.
They were then issued directives to form a company as a franchise cannot be in the name of individuals. “We had asked them to form a company. There is a dispute among the five members of the consortium. Both groups of the consortium have requested the BCCI not to recognise the other. We cannot deal with two groups,” Manohar had said.
In view of this, a notice was issued to Kochi to incorporate their joint venture within 10 days or face action.“We have to finalise the decisions before the auctions. Franchisee withdrawal would depend on their replies. We will play with nine or eight teams (if necessary),” he had said.
