BCCI ready to probe if cheergirls' complain

CHANDIGARH: Surprised at two London-based cheergirls' allegations of racial abuse a month after they claimed the incident took place, a senior BCCI official today said the Board was ready to probe if a formal complaint was lodged with the IPL.

"I am surprised why these cheergirls have taken over a month to speak out and that too in the media. As far as I know, there has been no complaint from them lodged with the IPL," BCCI Joint Secretary and IPL committee member M P Pandove said.

He said IPL will "definitely look into the matter if it is brought to the notice of the IPL commissioner by the alleged victims officially".

This week two London-based dark-skinned cheergirls, who were hired by the Kings XI Punjab team, through event management company Wizcraft International Entertainment, had kicked up a storm by alleging that they were asked to sit out just before the April 19 match of the IPL played in Mohali because they were not white (skinned).

Kings XI Punjab CEO Neil Maxwell has already denied allegations that the cheerleaders were not allowed to perform on the basis of their colour and termed the allegations as baseless.