MUMBAI: Lalit Modi’s tweets have brought life into the Indian Cricket League (ICL), the original but defunct T20 format league floated by Subhash Chandra.
Post Modi’s revelations on how the BCCI pressurised to kill the ICL, the Essel Group has said that it will wait for further disclosures from the former IPL commissioner on how they tried to sabotage the ICL, before announcing their next move.
"Essel Sports, promoter of ICL, has received lot of queries on the recent disclosures made by a former member of the BCCI, openly admitting to having initiated various actions against the ICL operations," Essel Group head, group finance and strategy Himanshu Mody said in a statement.
"These revelations justify our position that the Twenty20 format was conceptualised and formulated for the betterment of Indian and World cricket by ICL and the Essel Group," Mody added.
"We await the entire details to be made public as stated by the former BCCI official and will determine the next steps accordingly," he further added.
Meanwhile, Lalit Modi, who was also part of the BCCI at that time, wrote on his microblogging site that when he was at BCCI, the mandate given then was to scuttle ICL.
“BCCI arm twisted every cricket board and ICC to change there constitution. The constitution of every board was changed and ICC made ICL redundant by its act - by making it unauthorised cricket. Worldwide anti competition laws were studied and finally though against most Laws - the ICC changed there constitution to protect its members,” Modi said.
He clarified his stance, saying that when you work for an organisation - and it gives you a mandate to do something then - its one‘s job to do that to the best of his ability.
“Yes I was part of the BCCI when we scuttled ICL. That was the mandate of the organisation. It was not my personal agenda. I have no personal issues with ICL. I am of the personal opinion that more competition in the game is good for the game and its players. I have always done what‘s required by any organization I have worked with. Well I guess I do my job well. That‘s why I give results,” Modi wrote.
He added that BCCI was afraid of Subhash Chandra‘s clout in media and ability to take over the world of cricket. “Internally we knew he would do a better job,” Modi added.
On the steps BCCI had taken, Modi wrote: “All correspondence related to scuttling ICL and any unauthorised league - will be made available on my website www.lalitmodi.com soon.”
Finally, he added that it was a “mistake to have systematically used everything in BCCI‘s arsenal to finish ICL”.
“Yes, we as BCCI called all and sundry to oppose ICL. Cricket associations were told not to give there grounds or fear loosing matches. Players were told do not play for ICL or we will black list you. This then BCCI had to implement through change of constitution. BCCI even terminated Zee Sports contract unfairly as they had launched ICL and BCCI wanted window for IPL., Which I am told is in court now. The final straw was to offer ICL players an amnesty scheme so that they would desert ICL and join IPL. Commentators were called and told do not associate with ICL or BCCI will ensure we will not take you. Umpires were told the same. It was systematically done.
BCCI than called every member of ICC to ensure that they all help in changing the ICC Constitution to outlaw ICL. ICC set up a three member committee with me, Giles Clarke president ECB and Norman Arendse president CSA to draft the new constitution. We drafted the same and then BCCI ensured it was approved and implemented with lightening speed. Result - Demise of ICL. BCCI even went to the extent of black listing suppliers like TV Production Cos, event managers who worked with ICL. ICC used Bird and Bird a UK based law firm to ensure regulations to stop ICL was made consistent globally. The three member team worked with them,” Modi explained.
However, BCCI chief Shashank Manohar refused to react on Modi’s allegations. "I don‘t want to react at all to Mr Modi. Modi seems to fascinate the media. He does not fascinate me," Manohar said.
