Lalit Modi, the suspended Indian Premier League (IPL) commissioner, has accused the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of trying to fix matches. Modi alleged that N Srinivasan, the BCCI secretary, had, according to Cricinfo, tried to "alter or propose panel of umpires" officiating in the IPL matches and had circulated an email "directing a panel of umpires hand-picked by him".
"This constituted a clear attempt at umpire fixing/match-fixing," Modi said. "Upon my coming to know of this, I objected and removed them in the interest of the league." Srinivasan is the co-owner of Chennai Super Kings, the IPL champions, and Modi accused the secretary of being "instrumental in sponsoring complaints" against him and of selecting the umpires for his team's matches. Modi also wants to exclude senior Indian cricket board officials from the inquiry committee that will investigate corruption allegations against him. He told the Press Trust of India yesterday that Shashank Manohar, the BCCI president, and Srinivasan should not be part of the committee.
The BCCI are investigating Modi over his involvement in the bids for Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab at the first IPL auction in 2008, the awarding of two new IPL franchises last month and a broadcast deal. In a letter to Manohar, Modi asked him to step aside, "as your participation in the proceedings would [be] tantamount to being a judge, witness and a potential co-notice in these very proceedings."
* AP
