Indian Premier League (IPL) chief Lalit Modi faced an uncertain future yesterday after the government launched a probe into the financial dealings of the money-spinning cricket tournament.
The tax investigation began after revelations by Modi led to the resignation of a government minister and claims from the opposition that the league was a front for money laundering and illegal betting.
Top officials of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which owns the IPL, are believed to blame Modi, 46, for attracting the taxman to their door and many want him to quit as IPL commissioner.
Modi, the driving force behind the success of the IPL, which has seen its brand value surge to US$4.1 billion in just three years, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
“Lots in media — speculations,” Modi wrote on his Twitter page from Dubai where he is representing the BCCI at an International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting.
“Welcome all investigation. Ready to extend all cooperation,” he said.
The IPL features the world’s top cricketers playing a shortened format of the game known as Twenty20. There are eight franchises owned by wealthy Indian businessmen and film stars.
There was growing speculation that Modi will quit before a meeting of the 14-member IPL governing council in Mumbai next week, but BCCI officials cautioned against jumping the gun.
“Look, there is a lot of anger that Modi has put us in such a mess,” a senior BCCI official said. “The board has never faced such embarrassment.”
“But the general opinion is to give Modi a chance to explain his side of the story ... if he wants to that is,” he said.
Indian Federal minister Sharad Pawar, a former Indian cricket chief who takes over as ICC president in June, was confident the IPL’s governing council would resolve the matter.
“They will take a collective, unanimous decision and give future direction to Indian cricket,” said Pawar, who himself is not part of the IPL set-up.
“The total effort will be to protect the interests of Indian cricket, the cricket-loving public and the players,” he said.
The income-tax department has summoned IPL officials to hand over all tournament paperwork by Friday, including details on television rights, sponsorships and deals with franchises and players.
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