The BCCI issued an eight-page order for the ten IPL franchises on May 7, Thursday, raising concerns over certain significant protocol violations while establishing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that must be closely followed going forward.

"The advisory has been issued in light of certain incidents observed during the ongoing season and is intended to reinforce the standards of professionalism, discipline, security awareness, and protocol compliance expected from all stakeholders associated with the IPL," BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia wrote to CEOs of 10 franchises, a copy of which is in the possession of PTI.

In the 8-page document, the BCCI minces no words as it warns the franchises and players while pointing out all the breaches that have been reported by the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) of the BCCI.

"It has come to the attention of the BCCI that certain incidents of misconduct and protocol violations 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 a serious nature,” Saikia writes in the intro of the document.

The foremost issue that the BCCI highlighted was visits from "unauthorized persons" in players' hotel rooms. The board warned the players and franchises of the potential risk of ‘honey-trapping’ of high-value individuals and has restricted visits from family and friends to the lobby of the hotel.

The document states: "It has been observed that certain players and support staff members have permitted unauthorized persons to access their hotel rooms without the knowledge or approval of the concerned IPL franchise team manager. In a number of instances, the team manager was entirely unaware of the presence of such visitors. The practice is strictly prohibited with immediate effect.”

The players and teams were given three directives to be followed strictly while meeting someone.

They are:

1. “No person, irrespective of their identity, relationship to team member, or stated purpose, shall be permitted entry into a player's or support staff member's hotel room without prior knowledge and explicit written approval from the Team Manager.”

2. Guests and visitors shall be received exclusively in designated public areas of the hotel, such as the lobby or hotel reception lounge. No guest shall be escorted to private hotel rooms unless the team manager has specifically authorized the same in writing.”

3. “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 BCCI also shed light on franchise officials not adhering to the Players' and Match Officials Access (PMOA) protocols.

“The BCCI has noted with concern that certain IPL franchise owners have not adhered to the Players and Match Officials Access (PMOA) protocol during the course of the matches. Specifically, instances have been observed of IPL franchise 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 BCCI noted.

Due to this breach, there is also a three-point guideline for the owners:

1. “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 the course of the match, except through designated and approved channels.”

2. “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 a serious violation.”

3. “Franchise management is responsible for ensuring that IPL franchise owners and their associates are fully briefed on applicable protocols before each match day.”

The BCCI has also put a complete ban on vaping and/or the use of e-cigarettes anywhere in the IPL venues, including dressing rooms, dugouts, team hotels, and practice facilities. This comes after Rajasthan Royals skipper Riyan Parag was caught vaping inside the RR dressing room during a match and was fined, and a demerit point was added to his record.

Instances of vaping within 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 electronic cigarettes are 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 recognizable offense under the applicable statutory framework.

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,” Saikia wrote.

(PTI inputs)