Table of Contents
The complaint
- BCCI ethics officer DK Jain is examining a conflict of interest complaint against India captain Virat Kohli
- The complaint was made by Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association life member Sanjeev Gupta
- In the past, Gupta has also filed similar conflict of interest complaints against Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, and Rahul Dravid, but all three cricketers were cleared of any charges.
What is Conflict of Interest?
- ‘A conflict of interest (COI) is a situation in which a person/organization is involved in multiple interests and serving one interest could involve working against another.’
Kohli and Conflict of Interest
- Gupta has alleged that Kohli is conflicted as he occupies two posts
- Captain of the Indian team
- Director of a venture which has co-directors linked to a talent management company that has on board, several of his teammates.
The rules
- Occupying two posts at a time is a violation of the BCCI constitution which bars one individual from holding multiple positions.
- BCCI Rule 38 (4) approved by Supreme Court Of India.
- If found guilty by the Ethics officer, Kohli must relinquish his one post in compliance.
The Companies
- Virat Kohli Sports [LLP]
- Cornerstone Venture Partners [LLP]
- Cornerstone Sport and Entertainment Private Limited
Web of Directors
- Designated Partners of Virat Kohli Sports Llp are Amit (Bunty) Sajdeh and Virat Kohli.
- Kohli does not have a role in Cornerstone Sport and Entertainment Private Limited but Amit Sajdeh is Director and CEO ; Binoy Khimji is director.
- Kohli is a director at Cornerstone Venture Partners LLP along with Bunty Sajdeh and Binoy Khimji.
- Cornerstone Sport and Entertainment Private Limited manages the commercial interests of the India skipper and his many other teammates including
- K L Rahul
- Rishabah Pant
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Umesh Yadav
- Kuldeep Yadav
So what is the problem?
- An active player’s association with a player management company might amount to conflict of interest, especially if he happens to be the captain.
- Although he is not a part of the selection committee, the captain’s opinions are considered before selecting the Indian team.
- The Kohli issue is complicated because of indirect The ombudsman’s decision is final.
Why rules can’t be bended for star players?
- “Generally speaking, the concept of Conflict of Interest is not necessarily a question about something one does or intends to do but a question of what one could do.’’
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