From no entry in hotel rooms to ban on hugs: BCCI has a honey-trapping warning for RCB, MI, SRH, CSK and other IPL teams

Warning of possible “honey traps, legal liability and security risks”, the BCCI has barred unauthorised visitors from accessing hotel rooms of players, support staff and team officials during the IPL after the Board’s Anti-Corruption Unit flagged several incidents of “misconduct and protocol violations”.

In a detailed advisory issued to all 10 IPL franchises, the BCCI stated that guests can visit players’ or officials’ rooms only with prior written approval from team managers.

"The advisory has been issued in light of certain incidents observed during ongoing season and is intended to reinforce the standards of professionalism, discipline, security awareness and protocol compliance expected from all stakeholders associated with IPL," BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said in a communication sent to franchise CEOs, a copy of which is with PTI.


"It has come to the attention of the BCCI that certain incidents of misconduct and protocol violation have occurred involving players, support staff and team officials during the course of the current IPL season.

"These incidents if left unaddressed, carry the potential to cause significant reputational harm to the tournament, the franchise concerned and the BCCI as the Governing Body. They may further expose individuals and franchises to legal liability and security risks of serious nature," he added in the advisory.

The Board noted that some players and support staff had allowed unauthorised individuals into hotel rooms without informing or obtaining approval from the concerned Team Manager.

"In a number of instances, Team Manager was entirely unaware of the presence of such visitors. The practice is strictly prohibited with immediate effect," the notification stated.

The BCCI has now laid down a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for all players and support staff for the remainder of the tournament.

"No guest shall be escorted to private hotel rooms unless Team Manager has specifically authorised the same in writing. The BCCI draws attention to all franchises to the well documented risks of targeted compromise and honey trapping that pervade high profile sporting environments.

"The possibility of incidents giving rise to serious legal allegations, including those under applicable Indian laws on sexual misconduct cannot be discounted. IPL franchises must remain vigilant and proactive in mitigating such risks at all times," the Board said.

The advisory also prohibits players and support staff from leaving team hotels at “irregular hours” without informing the designated Security Liaison Officer (SLO) and Team Integrity Officer (TIO).

Saikia said the BCCI and IPL Operations Team may carry out periodic checks to ensure compliance. Violations could result in penalties ranging from fines to suspension or disqualification of players, support staff or team officials.

The Board also raised concerns over breaches involving franchise owners, claiming some had violated the Players’ And Match Officials Access (PMOA) protocol.

"Specifically instances have been observed of IPL franchises owners attempting to communicate with, approach, hug, or otherwise physically interact with players during live match situations.

"Such conduct however well-intentioned, directly contravenes established protocol and may constitute interference with team dynamics and match proceedings," the Board asserted.

As a result, franchise owners have been barred from interacting with players during matches.

"IPL franchise owners and their representatives are strictly prohibited from communicating with or physically accessing players or team officials in the dugout, dressing room or playing area during course of the match, except through designated and approved channels.

"All franchise owner level access to restricted zones must strictly conform to the PMOA Protocol as communicated by the IPL operations divisions. Any deviation shall be treated as serious violation."

Prohibition on vaping

The issue of vaping also came under scrutiny after Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag was seen vaping on a dressing room balcony during a match, sparking controversy. Without naming the player, Saikia stressed that activities prohibited under Indian law would not be tolerated.

"It is pertinent to note that vapes and electronic cigarettes is prohibited under applicable Indian Law.

"Any individual found engaging in such conduct within tournament premises is not only violating BCCI and IPL regulations but may also be committing a cognisable offence under applicable statutory framework," he said.

"Accordingly the use of vapes, e-cigarettes, and all prohibited substances is strictly banned within all IPL tournament venues, including dressing rooms, dugouts, team hotels and practice facilities."