Chandigarh, May 8: Standard Operating Procedures for the Indian Premier League have been overhauled to mitigate risks of honey trapping and legal disputes, according to a recent BCCI advisory. The board has introduced a mandatory written permit system for any guest seeking entry into the hotel rooms of players or support staff, effective immediately.
The move follows several instances where team managers were unaware of the presence of visitors in private team areas. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia declared that the board is taking a proactive stance against “targeted compromise” and security threats that often pervade high-profile sporting events.
“No guest shall be escorted to private hotel rooms unless the Team Manager has specifically authorized the same in writing,” the board stated in the notification. The document further affirmed that the BCCI intends to uphold the sanctity of the tournament by preventing misconduct that could expose individuals to serious legal liability.
The restrictions also target the behavior of franchise owners, who are now barred from accessing players in the dugout or dressing rooms while a match is in progress. The BCCI asserted that recent attempts by owners to communicate with or physically approach players during live games constitute a violation of the Players’ and Match Officials Access protocol. Such actions are now classified as serious violations of league regulations.
Regarding player conduct, the board has banned the use of electronic cigarettes and vapes across all IPL facilities. This directive follows public incidents of vaping in dressing room balconies, which the board noted is a prohibited activity under Indian law. Saikia declared that anyone found using such substances is not only violating league rules but may also be committing a legal offense.
“IPL franchises must remain vigilant and proactive in mitigating such risks at all times,” Saikia maintained. He stated that the BCCI and IPL operations teams will conduct periodic inspections to ensure these guidelines are followed. According to the advisory, any person found in breach of these new security and conduct protocols faces potential disqualification or financial sanctions.
