Chandigarh, May 8: The Board of Control for Cricket in India has implemented a strict ban on unauthorized visitors in player hotel rooms following reports of misconduct and security breaches during the current Indian Premier League season. An advisory issued to all ten franchises outlines new Standard Operating Procedures designed to protect the league’s reputation and shield participants from potential honey traps or legal liabilities.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia affirmed that the measures are a response to specific incidents involving players and support staff who allowed guests into private rooms without notifying team management. The new rules mandate that any visitor must have prior written authorization from the team manager to access the residential areas of players and officials.
“The advisory has been issued in light of certain incidents observed during the ongoing season and is intended to reinforce the standards of professionalism, discipline, security awareness and protocol compliance,” Saikia stated in a communication to franchise leadership. He declared that failing to address these violations could lead to significant reputational harm for the franchises and the governing body.
The governing body noted the high-profile nature of the tournament makes participants targets for compromise. The advisory maintained that the possibility of incidents leading to serious legal allegations, including those under Indian laws regarding sexual misconduct, remains a primary concern. To further secure the environment, players are now barred from leaving hotels at irregular hours without alerting their Security Liaison Officer and Team Integrity Officer.
Protocol adjustments also extend to the field, where team owners are now prohibited from physical interactions with players during live matches. This decision follows observations of owners attempting to hug or communicate with players in restricted zones. Saikia asserted that such conduct contravenes established protocols and could be viewed as interference with match proceedings.
Additionally, the BCCI has reminded all stakeholders that the use of vapes and e-cigarettes is strictly prohibited within tournament venues, including dressing rooms and dugouts. The board stated that engaging in such activities constitutes a cognizable offense under statutory frameworks. Saikia noted that compliance will be monitored through periodic checks, with penalties for violations ranging from financial fines to full suspension from the tournament.
