The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday, May 7, issued an eight-page directive to all IPL teams that raised concerns of serious protocol violations during the ongoing tournament. The BCCI has also introduced diktats for both players and teams to be followed in future and with immediate effect.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia wrote to all ten franchises on Thursday, highlighting protocol violations this season and urging teams to reinforce professionalism and discipline.
“The guidelines have been issued in view of certain incidents observed during the ongoing season and are aimed at enhancing the standards of professionalism, discipline, security awareness and adherence to protocols expected of all stakeholders associated with the IPL,” Saikia wrote, according to PTI.
The guideline sets the record straight for teams, owners and players and highlights violations that have been reported by the BCCI’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU).
“The BCCI has come to the knowledge that there have been certain incidents of misconduct and breaches of protocol involving players and support staff and team officials during the current IPL season. If these incidents are not addressed, they may cause significant damage to the reputation of the tournament, the franchises concerned and BCCI as a governing body. They may further expose security risks to individuals and franchises.”
A report from the BCCI also pointed to unauthorized visits to players’ hotel rooms as a major area of concern.
“It has been observed that some players and support staff members have allowed unauthorized persons to enter their hotel rooms without the knowledge or consent of the respective IPL franchise manager. In a number of cases, the team manager was completely unaware of the presence of such visitors. This practice is strictly prohibited with immediate effect,” the BCCI secretary said.
The BCCI also took cognizance of the unauthorized movement of players without informing the Security Liaison Officers (SLOs).
“There have been instances of players and support staff leaving team hotels at irregular hours without notifying designated Security Liaison Officers (SLOs) or Team Integration Officers (TIOs). Such departures create significant security vulnerabilities and expose individuals to risks that cannot be mitigated if the relevant staff are uninformed,” Saikia said in the letter.
The document also mentions violations by unnamed team owners who failed to uphold the sanctity of player-umpire access (PMOA).
“The BCCI has noted with concern that some IPL franchise owners have not followed the Players and Match Officials Access (PMOA) protocol during matches. Specifically, there have been instances where IPL franchise owners have attempted to communicate with players, approach, hug or otherwise physically interact with players during live match situations. Such conduct, however well-intentioned and established match protocol may constitute direct interference, may read directly as a breach of protocol. statement.
DIKHATY BCCI FOR PLAYERS, STAFF, TEAM OWNERS
The directive in the letter issued a three-point diktat for players and support staff.
- No person, regardless of their identity, relationship to a team member, or stated purpose, will be permitted to enter a player’s or support staff member’s hotel room without the prior knowledge and express written consent of the team manager.
- Guests and visitors will only be received in designated public areas of the hotel, such as the lobby or hotel reception. No guest may be escorted to private hotel rooms unless expressly authorized in writing by the Team Manager.
- The BCCI alerts all franchises to the well-documented risks of targeted compromise and Honey Trapping that pervade high-profile sporting environments. The possibility of incidents leading to serious legal charges, including those under applicable Indian sexual abuse laws, cannot be ruled out. IPL franchises must always be vigilant and proactive in mitigating such risks.
When it comes to player movement, the BCCI has laid down some strict laws for the stars.
- All players and support staff must notify and obtain permission from the SLO and/or TIO before leaving the team hotel at any time.
- Any planned movement away from the hotel, for personal, recreational or any other purposes, must be notified to the Team Leader and the SLO well in advance of intended departure.
- The SLO/TIO will maintain a current record of all team movements which will be made available to the BCCI Operations Team on request.
The owners were also issued with a three-point direction in respect of breaching the PMOA
- IPL franchise owners and their representatives are strictly prohibited from communicating with or physically approaching players or team officials in the basement, dressing room or field of play during a match, except through designated and approved channels.
- All access to restricted areas at the franchise owner level must strictly follow the PMOA protocol as communicated by the IPL Operations Divisions. Any deviation will be considered a serious violation.
- It is the responsibility of the franchise management to ensure that IPL franchise owners and their associates are fully informed of the relevant protocols prior to each match day.
BAN ON VAPING
Another controversy that hit the IPL was Riyan Parag is caught vaping in the RR dressing room during their match against PBKS.
Another incident followed, when Yuzvendra Chahal was seemingly caught using an electronic cigarette on one of the vlogs created by Arshdeep Singh.
In the letter, Saikia reminded that vaping is prohibited under Indian law and any individual engaging in it could be committing a cognizable offence.
The BCCI secretary said that the use of e-cigarettes is strictly prohibited in all IPL venues, dressing rooms, dugouts and team hotels.
“Instances of vaping in the dressing room and other restricted areas of tournament venues have been brought to BCCI’s attention. It is pertinent to note that vapes and e-cigarettes are prohibited under the applicable Indian laws. Any individual caught engaging in such behavior within the tournament premises is not only in breach of BCCI and IPL regulations, but may also commit a cognizable offense under the applicable statutory framework.”
“Accordingly, the use of vaping, e-cigarettes and all banned substances is strictly prohibited at all IPL tournaments, including dressing rooms, dugouts, team hotels and practice facilities,” Saikia wrote.
WHAT TEAMS NEED TO DO NOW
The BCCI has made team managers and designated franchise officials jointly responsible for enforcing the new guidelines. Managers must conduct a mandatory team briefing within 48 hours of notification and obtain written confirmation from all players and staff confirming the rules.
They were also instructed to establish a formal guest approval system with daily visitor records and maintain a movement log in coordination with the SLO/TIO to track all entry and exit from the team hotel.
CONSEQUENCES OF BREACH
The BCCI said it will conduct regular checks to ensure teams and players are following the latest guidelines.
“Any violation of the above guidelines must be self-reported to the IPL Operations Team or the relevant IPL Venue Team at the earliest opportunity. BCCI trusts that all IPL franchises will treat this recommendation with the seriousness it warrants and will take all necessary steps to uphold the integrity and reputation of the Indian Premier League,” Saikia wrote.
The BCCI also said that any violation of the new guidelines will be treated as a serious disciplinary offence. The board said it may take several steps against defaulters if they are found guilty of violating the guidelines.
“Failure to comply will subject the respective IPL franchise and the individual concerned to proceedings under the relevant provisions of the IPL Regulations, BCCI Rules and Regulations and other applicable laws as the circumstances warrant,” Saikia wrote.
“Franchisees are strongly advised to take note of this recommendation and take all necessary steps to ensure full compliance. The BCCI reserves the right to conduct periodic audits and inspections to ensure compliance with these guidelines,” he added.
Actions that can be taken against people violating the guidelines are as follows:
IPL 2026 | IPL Schedule | IPL Points Table | IPL Player Stats | Purple Cap | Orange Cap | IPL Videos | Cricket News | Live Score
- Issuance of formal notice to the franchisee and/or affected person.
- Imposition of financial penalties on a franchise or individual as prescribed in the IPL Regulations.
- Suspension or disqualification of a player, support staff member or team official from the current or subsequent IPL season(s).
- In cases involving violations of the law, including the use of prohibited substances, violations of security protocol, or conduct that amounts to harassment, the matter is referred to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.
- Any other action as deemed fit by the BCCI/IPL Board of Governors in the interest of the tournament and the sport
– The end
Published on:
08 May 2026 09:09 IST
