BCCI failed to remove sporting frauds from IPL: PepsiCo

Pepsi have no intention of returning to the IPL

Yesterday, the Indian Premier League (IPL) was dealt a heavy blow, after PepsiCo decided to severe all sponsorship ties with the cash rich league. As Sportskeeda reported on the matter, both BCCI and Pepsi went onto issue a joint statement, saying that they were working towards finding a solution ‘towards the interest of the league’. However, the beverage giant has made it clear that the reason was a lack of transparency in decision-making by India’s cricket governing body.

According to Pepsi officials, the also delivered a notice to the board on Thursday said. A Pepsi official said, “We had submitted the notice late on Thursday, we made it clear that the lack of transparecy and not being able to tackle several frauds within the organisation is the reason why were backing out.” The notice stated, “Pepsi’s association with the league was to gain positive publicity, which they were dependent on the IPL being conducted in a fair and transparent manner.”

The notice also added, “BCCI was duty-bound to ensure that the game of cricket was played in accordance with the best practices to maintain the public confidence in its purity.” However, the contract signature in late 2012, also coincided with the 2013 spot-fixing scandal, which was a catalyst to Pepsico’s pulling out. The Pepsi official added, “We had informed them last year about this, however, they told us to stay on for another year. But, we haven’t seen anything different to change our mind.

Former BCCI President N Srinivasan’s role was also highlighted, the notice stated, “President of BCCI was acting in conflict of interest as the regulator of the IPL and at the same time as having commercial interest in the IPL.” The notice asks the BCCI to return Rs 78.60 crore of the Rs 396 crore they garnered. It also added, the fraudulent and illegal activities committed in the IPL adversely affected the image of the IPL as also the game of cricket and brought them to disrepute”.

Pepsi have also suggested that they kept their end of the bargain, whereas the BCCI did not. They said “Pepsico fulfilled all of its obligations under the Agreement and is not in breach of the terms of the Agreement in any manner.”

According to sources, Pepsi are not willing to budge from their position and are adamant on the termination. It is being said that, Paytm could be stepping in as the IPL’s latest title sponsor. The payment gateway firm are already the main sponsor, for the ongoing India South Africa series