New Delhi:
Facing allegation that it received 80 million dollars as facilitation fee for Indian Premier League (IPL) broadcast rights from Multi Screen Media, World Sports Group (WSG) has claimed that it had done no wrong and would take appropriate action to uphold its reputation.
"Any allegation that WSG has used any funds received in connection with its sub-licence of these rights for inappropriate or unlawful activities is completely unfounded and without substance," WSG said in a statement in response to media queries.
There were reports that WSG, which holds IPL's overseas rights owed 2.5 million dollar to Modi Entertainment Network, and it was given rights at favourable terms by IPL commissioner Lalit Modi for settling old dues.
Strongly refuting any "impropriety" in relation to these matters, WSG said it had acquired media rights for IPL in January 2008 for 10 years following public tender process.
"Far from any of its dealings being "secret", all relevant and necessary parties are fully aware of each transaction related to these rights...The baseless innuendo by undisclosed and unnamed sources has nothing to do with WSG and WGS will take whatever action is necessary to uphold its reputation," the statement said.
Stating that WSG will fully cooperate with any authority, it expressed surprise and disappointment that private transaction should be brought into disrepute in relation to the issue being reported in the media.
The allegation about WSG's secret dealing of facilitation fee had surfaced amid the ongoing controversy over alleged charges on Modi relating to betting and laundering. The government has already announced a full scale probe on the sources of fund and other related financial transaction in IPL.