Kolkata:
BCCI chief N Srinivasan, under immense pressure to quit in the wake of his son-in-law being arrested and charged with betting, held a press conference in Kolkata today. Here are the highlights:
- The last few days has been difficult for the BCCI and for me as its president.
- They have also been difficult for me as a father and father-in-law.
- But today, I set aside my personal feelings and speak in the capacity of BCCI president.
- I will not shirk from my duties.
- There will be a commission set up that will investigate into this. At least one member will be from outside the BCCI.
- Our probe will cover all teams, players, officials, and team management.
- BCCI will act without fear or favour.
- Gurunath Meiyappan has been suspended from all cricket-related activity by BCCI.
- There has been no demands from anyone for me to resign. No revolt against me in BCCI.
- Don't want to minimise problems faced by IPL. BCCI will take steps necessary to justify faith public has in IPL & Indian cricket.
- I'm not going to sit and explain Gurunath Meiyappan's role. The Commission will go into that. I've distanced myself from that.
- You cant assume people in the Commission will not act fairly. There will be an independent person and I'm not a part of it. I will await the report as much as you.
- Trial by media for me. Newspapers, TV channels everyone discussing I should go.
- Chennai Super Kings is owned by a public limited company India Cements. The company has been supporting cricket for over 50 years. They employ cricketers and has many teams. CSK is one of them. All teams are managed by ex-cricketers who know how to run teams.
- I'm not an accused, I have had no role in this. If a relative has, let the law take its course.