MRTPC orders inquiry against BCCI banning players for joining ICL

NEW DELHI, September 6: The slugfest between BCCI and rival ICL has taken a new twist with anti-monopoly watchdog MRTPC initiating an investigation against the cricket board for threatening players with a life-term ban on joining the Subhash Chandra-promoted league.
Taking a suo moto cognisance, through reports published in newspapers, MRTPC has directed its investigative arm Director General of Investigation and Registration (DGIR) to look into the threats given by the Board of Control for Cricket in India to players who join Indian Cricket League.
Moreover, the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission has directed DGIR to look into the expulsion of some former cricket players by the BCCI on joining ICL.
According to sources, the Commission suspects BCCI is adopting restrictive trade practices, which are banned under the MRTP Act.
As per the Commission's direction, DGIR would also inquire the aspects of BCCI's denial to share infrastructure with ICL as all the stadiums and machinery are national assets and none could be deprived from using it, the sources added.
MRTPC has directed DGIR to submit its preliminary investigation report within 60 days.
It may be recalled that in 1994 DGIR had pulled up BCCI for adopting restrictive trade practices and imposed a fine. In an ex-parte order, the Commission's single member bench of Sardar Ali had then held BCCI guilty of adopting restrictive trade practices.
MRTPC's directions come days after the Delhi High Court asked public sector companies like Air India and IOC to refrain from sacking players who join ICL. The Court had passed the interim order on August 27 after it was brought to its notice by ICL that IOC and Air India have threatened employees to terminate their services if they join ICL.
More than 50 cricketers have joined ICL so far, including Dinesh Mongia, JP Yadav, Reetinder Sodhi, Deep Dasgupta. Besides former players Kapil Dev, Kiran More, Sandeep Patil have also joined the league in various official capacities.
While BCCI has banned players who have joined ICL, it had also sacked Kapil Dev as Chairman of National Cricket Academy.
In 1994, MRTPC had also asked DGIR to look into agreements BCCI had entered into with the players. In the agreement, BCCI had restrained players from writing in newspapers, magazines and journals. Players were also not entitled to take part in activity related to TV or broadcasting, and they could not publish articles or book on cricket until 12 months after the completion of any tour.
Moreover, the players were not even entitled to wear the logo and any form of advertisements on clothes or equipments. They were even not entitled to participate in a game other than cricket. The players were barred from playing for any club other than those recognised by BCCI for the period of one year from the date of signing of the agreement.
In its investigation report DGIR had found that BCCI was adopting restrictive trade practices in the agreement and had registered a case against it.
If the current investigation reveals that the cricket body is adopting restrictive trade practices contrary to the interest of players, then MRTPC may pass a cease and desist order against BCCI.