Sports

"Players And Press People Shouldn't Bet"

After the Pepsi Independence Cup finals at Calcutta, BCCI secretary Jagmohan Dalmiya spoke to Aniruddha Bahal about the suspected links between player sand bookies. Excerpts:

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"Players And Press People Shouldn't Bet"
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There are transcripts with Mumbai police of talks between players and a bookie. They say if an inquiry is held, they'll furnish proof.

It's not a little money.
Whatever. It's just money. If it's proved, it will be the shock of my life.

Has the board ever questioned the assets of certain players?
They have sponsorships etc. Besides, it's not our job to do this. The country has other authorities to do that job.

Was Azhar dropped for non-cricketing reasons?
Not at all. I convened the selectors' conference. It was his form.

Bindra told us the board suspected Prabhakar and Mongia in the Kanpur onedayer against the Windies in 1994?
That was nothing to do with match-fixing. That was because they played slowly. They were replaced because they didn't play as per the situation. You see, if there was match-fixing, it would have gone for further inquiry.

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Journalists with bookie links place bets from the pressbox. The same journalists mix with the players. Isn't that a big grey area?
I personally feel whether it is the players or media or board officials or whoever is involved directly with the game in some capacity or other shouldn't bet.

Before the finals in Calcutta, a commentator organised a meeting between some Pakistani players and bookies. Were you aware of this?
What? I don't know what you are asking. I don't know anything. I've no comments. Please don't ask such questions.

Why were cellulars banned from the dressing room?
Because of disturbance. But if it's true, what you say about players, the strictest action will be taken. It can't be condoned. It will be very shocking for me.

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A bookie says an ex-manager sells his pavilion passes for Rs 3,000. He said what stops him from approaching such a man for match-fixing?
These are two very different things. Selling your country is very different from selling a ticket. You mean to say you find nothing wrong in the manager's actions? Selling tickets is a cognizable offence and should be treated as such. The other day a question was raised in Parliament on The Pioneer article about Sachin being offered money. It was rubbish. I had a talk with Sachin and he said the reporter came to him and said he was offered money. If for the sake of juicy stories, the media is going to do this it is very irresponsible.

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