Courtappointed administrators curb powers of BCCI officials

NEWDELHI: The BCCI Committee of Administrators (CoA) clipped the wings of office-bearers further in a fresh set of directives. The Vinod Rai-headed committee barred officials from using BCCI money to meet legal expenses. It also said officials can’t travel without the approval of CoA.

“Henceforth, BCCI shall not bear the expenses of any legal representation/advice that any office-bearer may seek from external legal advisers,” said the directive. It refers to the petition filed by the Cricket Association of Bihar based on which the Apex court issued orders for reforming the cricket body.

There has been criticism the Board has leaked money on both parties over the issue of implementing the Lodha panel recommendations.

BCCI officials oppose the implementation of key recommendations and have been at loggerheads with the CoA in the Supreme Court.

The directives also restrict travel. “The office-bearers and/ or their respective Executive Assistants shall not undertake any travel, including but not limited to, hotel accommodation at BCCI expense without the prior approval of Committee of Administrators.”

Regarding payments, the directives clarify that the final authority on it will be the CoA, including the money paid out to players as per their contract.

The directives add that in case a payment isn’t approved by the acting secretary and CEO within three days, the matter will go to the CoA for a final decision.