Sreesanth

Calcutta: Rajasthan Royals’ chief executive Raghu Iyer said the arrest of three of their cricketers for alleged role in spot-fixing in the ongoing IPL has caused “immense distress” to everyone associated with the franchise. He also said the management had no knowledge of the wrong-doings.

A special cell of Delhi police arrested India pacer Sreesanth and his Rajasthan Royals teammates — Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan — for indulging in spot-fixing in at least three IPL matches.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has also convened an emergency meeting of its working committee, in Chennai, on Sunday.

“All of the RR owners, management, captain, coach and players and staff are shocked and disappointed at the entire situation which has caused immense distress to us all,” Iyer said in a statement.

“RR has launched a comprehensive internal investigation, and will make all information available to the authorities to assist with any on-going inquiries.

“RR is closely co-ordinating with the BCCI and the IPL Governing Council to take whatever steps may be necessary in the current situation,” Iyer said.

“RR has noted statements which have been made today, including Ajit Chandila’s lawyer, Mr Rakesh Kumar, suggesting that it was made aware of such matters. These are completely unfounded and are totally refuted. RR will take legal action in the event that such defamatory statements continue to be made by any person.

“RR has also noted statements which suggest that there have been other related instances in the past. RR absolutely confirms that it has never had any knowledge of any such matters. RR works closely with the ACSU, and has always fully complied with all of its related obligations, as a participant in the IPL.

“All RR players are fully aware of the zero-tolerance approach of the franchise with regard to corruption and have obligations in that regard through their player contracts with IPL and the franchise.

“RR has suffered enormously as a result of the alleged actions of these players, and will fully support the BCCI and other authorities in rooting out this evil from the game of cricket.”

Sanjay Jagdale, BCCI secretary, also informed in a release that Amit Singh has been suspended.

“The working committee will discuss, among other things, the fallout of the spot-fixing controversy in the ongoing IPL, in which three players have been arrested by Delhi Police,” BCCI secretary Sanjay Jagdale said in a statement issued on Friday.

“Amit Singh, a registered player with the Gujarat Cricket Association, who has also been arrested by Delhi Police, has been suspended by the BCCI, pending inquiry,” the statement said.

The BCCI has also asked its Anti-Corruption Unit chief Ravi Sawani to investigate the scandal and submit a report within 30 days.

Meanwhile, Sean Carroll, the head of Cricket Australia’s Anti-Corruption Unit, has spoken to Shaun Tait following Delhi Police’s statement last night that Tait is not part of their ongoing IPL investigations.

“Shaun reiterated to CA that he had absolutely no involvement in any of the issues that are currently being investigated.

“CA is comfortable that Shaun is being appropriately supported in India and reminds those who have been speculating on the ongoing investigations to base their comments on known facts, not unsubstantiated rumour,” a CA release said.

BCCI president N. Srinivasan said that the Board was doing its bit to curb the menace of corruption in the game but it has its own limitations and one should not question the credibility of the IPL due to the scandal.

“Nobody can deny what happened. We won’t sit and allow this to happen. What is its impact... let’s see what happens. Allegations have to be proved, players too have rights. IPL is still credible, there are allegations and we will get to the bottom of it,” Srinivasan told a TV channel.

“This is a clear indication of risk. They are Ranji and Test players. It is not as if they did not know what’s wrong and still went ahead. It looks greed has taken over. It seems three players have fallen pray,” the BCCI chief said.

Srinivasan outlined what their endeavours are in curbing corruption and also accepted their limitations in doing the job.

“We do not have resources of a state, of a government, of police or an agency. We function on certain limitations.

“We engage the services of the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit. We have a working committee meeting and we will look into all aspects. We will hear from our own Anti-Corruption Unit on that day. We will wait to get all the information,” he said.