Head of India's all-star cricket league suspended in corruption probe

Suspended: league chief Lalit Modi
10 April 2012

An Indian businessman credited with masterminding the global boom in Twenty20 cricket has been suspended amid claims of corruption.

Lalit Modi was forced out as chairman of the Indian Premier League, the multi-billion pound event which has featured the world's top cricketers, including England stars Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen.

IPL chiefs said they took the decision today to protect the reputation of the event.

The government began an inquiry into the IPL last week amid allegations of tax evasion, money laundering, kickbacks, match fixing and illegal betting. Interim chairman Chirayu Amin revealed that tax officials investigating Mr Modi, who says he is innocent of all claims, had discovered that vital documents were missing.

The crisis began when Shashi Tharoor, a government minister, resigned amid claims that his girlfriend had invested in a consortium awarded a new IPL franchise in Kochi, prompting a wider investigation into the teams, sponsors, broadcasters and event managers associated with the IPL.

After the final in Mumbai last night, in which the Chennai Super Kings beat the Mumbai Indians by 22 runs, Mr Manohar issued a statement saying: "The alleged acts of individual misdemeanours of Mr Lalit K Modi have brought a bad name to the administration of cricket and the game itself."

The IPL is the world's second richest sports league after America's NBA basketball league.
Owners of the eight teams bid each season for the world's top players, who earn an average wage of £2.5 million. Bollywood has also bought into the event with actress Shilpa Shetty, co-owner of the Rajasthan Royals.

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