Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals suspended for two years

[MickeyD]

In a landmark judgement, the Supreme court of India appointed Lodha panel, on Tuesday, suspended IPL franchises Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals for a period of two years in connection with the IPL 2013 spot-fixing.

The sentencing panel also meted out severe punishments to Gurunath Meiyappan and Raj Kundra and banned them for life from all cricket related activities. Gurunath Meiyappan and Raj Kundra, who were indicted in betting activities during IPL 2013 were said to have brought the game to disrepute in addition to their betting misdemeanors.

The committee also reasoned that the verdict wouldn't particularly affect the players associated with the concerned franchises. "The players are free. They will not be attached to a particular team of the franchise that is suspended," Justice Lodha said."We thought that cricket is bigger than individuals and body and invidiuals, then the financial loss to players and franchises is not of significance," he added.

The sentencing panel headed by former Chief Justice of India, RM Lodha and also comprising ex-judges Ashok Bhan and RV Raveendran, was tasked by a bench of Justices TS Thakur and FMI Kalifulla on January 22 to determine "the quantum of punishment, if any, to be imposed on Gurunath Meiyappan and Raj Kundra and also their respective franchises" based on the findings of the Mukul Mudgal panel.

Contrary to claims from India Cements, former owning body of CSK, that Gurunath Meiyappan was just a 'cricket enthusiast', the Supreme Court of India ruled, in its verdict based on the 130-page findings of the Mudgal committee probe, that both Meiyappan and Raj Kundra (Rajasthan Royals) were indeed 'Team Officials' and that they had indulged in betting activities.

An outright ban on the two former champions will have a devastating blow to what is only an eight-team tournament and the outcome will also have major ramifications for the future of the IPL.

The Lodha panel has also been empowered to recommend changes in the BCCI constitution, but this is expected to be taken up at a later date.

more to follow...

http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-new...ings-rajasthan-royals-suspended-for-two-years

 

[Agent_Smith]

I've found the IPL to be getting a bit bland this last year or two. Don't think I watched a game this year. That said, it will be interesting to follow what happens here. Will they replace the CSK and RR franchises with two new ones (and incorporate their squads) or will the next two editions of the IPL consist of only 6 teams. Personally I'm glad they meted out such harsh penalties. This spot fixing malarkey is getting out of hand.

 

[MickeyD]

I think they'll bring in two new teams - plenty of new sponsors waiting in the wings.

 

[Wall]

Great! Harsh sentences to push out corruption.

 

[Creag]

I think they'll bring in two new teams - plenty of new sponsors waiting in the wings.

Agree with you, MickeyD. The BCCI cannot "afford" to forgo the absence of the two teams. Unless I have read this thing incorrectly, it seems that both BCCI and affected franchises and franchise owners will be wrapping this ruling up in appeals and litigation until the cows come home or they get their own way.

The bottom line, I am sad to say, is that the outcome of games in the IPL will always be questionable. The BCCI and IPL are not acting in a compliant and / or in a manner of someone who agrees that they have messed up and need to reform. It sucks for us, the consumer of the great game, that this just gets more and more sordid and tarnished.