BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit chief Ajit Singh has on Thursday (1st October) revealed that bookies have made their way to Dubai for the ongoing 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020.
However, the ACU chief has stressed that none of the bookies managed to make any headway into corruption activities in the ongoing cash-rich T20 league in the UAE.
Mr. Singh also said that the ACU is working with all parties involved, including police in UAE and India apart from Emirates Cricket Board to make sure the IPL 13 can take place without any corrupt activities.
The ACU chief told ANI on Thursday: “There are bookies who have made their way to Dubai, but they have not been able to make any headway. So far it is all smooth and things are working in order. We have been working closely with not just the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), but also the local police and they have been very helpful.”
He further added, “We have three separate teams that are working around the three venues and keeping a track of things. We are in touch with the local police and the ECB. They are helping us and have a better liaison with the local authorities and are helping us whenever needed. In fact, we are also getting reports of police back in India tracking down betting activities which happens every time.”
Singh also revealed that his team is strongly focusing on the IPL players' social media interactions to see if there are any potential approaches from bookies.
He added, “See, while the number of venues is less, the hurdles of physical movement due to the COVID-19 also means that approaches if any will be made through social media. So, we are going to be closely monitoring the same and ensuring that there is nothing that escapes the team's eyes.”
Mr. Singh also called for a law making match-fixing a criminal offense in order to end to corruption activities in the sport. He signed off by saying, “We need a law that makes match-fixing a criminal offense as that will help put a stop to this. Action is taken as per the existing rules, but we need a law.”
(With ANI Inputs)
