BCCI pushes for legal crackdown on match-fixing
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has formally approached the Supreme Court seeking the criminalisation of match-fixing, in a move aimed at reinforcing the credibility of cricket amid recurring corruption scandals.
According to AFP, the BCCI filed documents with the Supreme Court registrar on October 14, arguing that illegal manipulation of cricket results has become a serious threat to the sport’s image. The documents describe match-fixing as a form of “cheating by deception” that should be treated as a punishable crime under the Indian Penal Code.
“The act of match-fixing constitutes a criminal offence,” the BCCI said in its submission.
“The prevalence of corrupt practices in cricket matches has an adverse impact on the game and undermines the integrity of the sport.”
The BCCI’s petition was filed in response to the Karnataka High Court’s 2022 decision to dismiss criminal charges in a local match-fixing case from 2018–2019. That case, involving two players, a coach, a team owner, and two others, was tied to alleged fixing in a state-level cricket league in Karnataka. The board is now seeking a precedent from the Supreme Court that would give stronger legal teeth to anti-corruption enforcement.
Previous scandals and ongoing vulnerabilities
Cricket in India has dealt with multiple high-profile fixing controversies, which continue to cast a shadow over the game. In 2000, a scandal involving South Africa’s then captain Hansie Cronje and India’s Mohammad Azharuddin made global headlines. Cronje later admitted to accepting money from bookmakers and named Azharuddin as the person who introduced him to them.
Another major case surfaced in 2013 during the Indian Premier League, where players and officials from the Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings were implicated in spot-fixing and betting. Both franchises were suspended for two years, and several players received bans under BCCI’s anti-corruption rules.
In response to these repeated incidents, the BCCI introduced a revised anti-corruption code in 2019, which allows for lifetime bans and heavy penalties. The code, submitted to the court as part of the legal filing, emphasises the importance of public faith in the sport:
“Public confidence in the authenticity and integrity of the sporting contest is vital.”
“If that confidence is undermined, then the very essence of cricket will be shaken to the core.”
Citing global examples to reinforce the case
In making its case, the BCCI has also pointed to international models. Sri Lanka criminalised match-fixing in 2019, introducing penalties of up to 10 years in prison and fines of LKR 100 million rupees (approximately US$ 330k). That legislation followed public statements from then-sports minister Harin Fernando, who described corruption in Sri Lankan cricket as endemic “from top to bottom.”
Sri Lankan cricketer Sachithra Senanayake became the first to be prosecuted under that law in June.
The BCCI’s push reflects a broader concern that without criminal penalties, regulatory measures alone may not be sufficient to deter corruption. The board hopes that formal recognition of match-fixing as a criminal act will serve as a deterrent and help restore faith in the sport among fans and stakeholders.
The case is currently ongoing and awaits further hearings in the Supreme Court.
