RR director Rumi Bhinder violates PMOA protocol (Screengrab)
It has been almost two days since Rajasthan Royals manager Romy Binder was seen using a mobile phone in the team’s dugout, which is in violation of the ‘PMOA (Players and Match Officials Area) – 2026’ protocol, but BCCI is yet to take any action on the serious violation. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said they would “study the matter” carefully before coming to a logical conclusion.“Some individuals are allowed to carry phones in the hideout and Rumi Bhandar, as a director, can carry them. But we need to conduct a thorough examination of exactly where the event took place and whether the phone was used. We will conduct an internal examination before coming to a logical conclusion,” Saikia told TimesofIndia.com.
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When informed that the PMOA clearly states that phones cannot be used in the hideout — which the official document designates as part of the PMOA zone — Saikia promised a thorough and transparent inspection.Saikia added, “As I said, we will examine the matter. We cannot act on what is being said. We will see pictures, video and whatever we can get before reaching a conclusion.”It can be confirmed that the matter has not yet reached the table of the IPL Governing Council (GC). It now remains to be seen whether Bhinder will be allowed to sit in the dugout during RR’s away match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Monday. Making the matter more serious is the fact that when Bhinder was using the phone, while stalking his side, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could be seen looking at the screen.
This act was captured live by television cameras and caused a sensation.IPL founding president Lalit Modi urged the GC to take “immediate action”. He even questioned the role of the anti-corruption unit when Bhinder casually used his phone during the match. “Having a mobile phone in the dugout is a complete no-no. Did this really happen. I hope it doesn’t happen. If it does. Then the IPL Governing Council should take immediate action,” Modi wrote in a post.He added in a different post: “This is completely unacceptable. Where was the fight against corruption?”As per routine protocol, the match referee gives a detailed report at the end of the match and it remains to be seen whether the Binder incident is mentioned. Vengalil Narayanan Kutty was officiating the RR vs RCB match in Guwahati and two anti-corruption officers were monitoring the proceedings.In just over 24 hours, RR will be back in action and the BCCI must conduct a thorough investigation into the matter before allowing Bhinder to be part of the PMOA again.
The BCCI Anti-Corruption Code, effective March 18, 2019, also applies to team officials.“The BCCI must investigate the matter thoroughly. For starters, the communication device must be confiscated and examined. This is a serious violation and cannot be allowed to pass. Even the players sitting next to him need to be questioned and warned about this act. As for punishments, it depends on the match referee and the ACU ward; the punishment can range from a fine to a ban from the match or even more. A manager can carry a phone but is strictly prohibited from using it in the dugout when multiple cameras are tracking every moment.”
A source following developments explained that this act was broadcast live and raises serious questions.BCCI has only a few hours to get to the bottom of the matter.
