Holding the Board of Control for Cricket in India responsible for all the mess that IPL is in, former BCCI president AC Muthiah demanded that all the officials having a stake in the IPL franchisees, should no more be a part of the Board.
Muthiah claims he had raised the issue of BCCI insiders having commercial interest in the IPL but his suggestions fell on deaf ears and the rules were changed to help certain people.
"I feel to a larger extent the members of BCCI have failed in their responsibilities and they had consciously allowed themselves to be exploited by certain groups by amending the byelaws of the society.
"BCCI should ensure all those who have some stake or interest either directly or indirectly, should be kept away from BCCI, so that the Board shall perform independently," Muthiah said in a statement.
Muthiah was indirectly taking a dig at BCCI secretary N Srinivasan, who is co-owner of Chennai Super Kings as he is vice-chairman and managing director of India Cements Ltd, which owns the franchise.
"Just expelling one or two members will not be a solution to the present episode," he added.
The former BCCI president said he will take the matter to the Apex court and suggested that Board should bar officials in its affiliated state associations from having any commercial interests either directly or indirectly in IPL franchise.
'Spirit of cricket hit hard'
Meanwhile, India coach John Wright feels that the 'spirit of cricket' has been hit hard and wants BCCI to take action against the wrong-doers.
Wright said he was in favour of transparency in the game and said that the BCCI must intervene and take stern action if anybody found guilty of exploiting the game.
Wright though said the IPL tournament has not only made the game more popular but also brought to the forefront the hidden talent which otherwise would have remained in oblivion.
"The IPL provided an opportunity to young, relatively unknown players to play shoulder to shoulder with the players of international standard from different countries, he said.
