Nothing new in Code of Conduct

Nothing new in Code of Conduct

BANGALORE, AUGUST 20: The Board of Control for Cricket in India probably feels the Income Tax department and CBI work on its instructions. The president of BCCI stated that he had asked them to submit their report by September 15. He probably was taking a leaf out of his treasurer, Kishore Rungta's book. Rungta, after being raided, gave himself a clean chit, saying the Fixed Deposit receipts found in his house were the Board's.

Blissfully unaware of the contempt reserved for the players and officials of the game, Muthiah preened of a Code of Conduct (which incidentally said nothing new).

Even this he was reluctant to furnish to the press. He first said it would be available on the Board site on the net on the morrow. Later, he said copies would be made and given. His assistant though struggled to furnish copies even one and a half hours after the meeting.

The Code of Conduct for players and officials calls for:

Five years to life-time ban for betting. It stipulated that players should not leak information on a match and not carry any communication equipment inside the stadium.

Players must announce the gifts and cash received within 15 days to the Board. The penalty would be a ban for five one dayers or three Tests.

The players, with the exception of the captain, have been barred from interacting with the media. They have to deposit all prize money earned in foreign exchange with the Board and will be paid the equivalent in Indian Rupees.

The Board has made it mandatory for Test players to play in domestic cricket. Tenders would be placed calling for sponsors for domestic tournaments.

The Code would come into effect immediately, but the rules of the BCCI needs to be modified to fit it in, said Muthiah. ``It will be done on September 29 at the Board AGM,'' he added.