Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has issued a detailed seven-page security advisory to all Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises ahead of the business end of the 2026 season, introducing stricter protocols to prevent “honey-trapping”, sexual misconduct allegations, and security breaches involving players and support staff.
The advisory, circulated by BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, comes amid growing concerns over player safety and the reputational risks associated with high-profile sporting events. The cricket board has warned franchises that players and officials remain vulnerable to extortion attempts, unauthorised interactions, and compromising situations during the tournament.
According to the advisory, the BCCI believes that IPL franchises must adopt a more disciplined and security-oriented approach to off-field conduct, especially as the league attracts global attention, celebrity presence, and intense media scrutiny.
“The BCCI draws the attention of all franchises to the well-documented risks of targeted compromise and honey-trapping that pervade high-profile sporting environments,” the advisory stated, as reported by Cricbuzz.
The board further noted that incidents involving allegations of sexual misconduct or harassment could have serious legal and disciplinary consequences for individuals and franchises alike.
Ban on visitors entering player hotel rooms
One of the most significant changes announced by the BCCI is the complete restriction on guests or visitors entering hotel rooms occupied by players and support staff.
Under the revised security protocol, all interactions with visitors must take place only in public areas such as hotel lobbies, lounges, or reception spaces. Entry into private rooms will only be allowed after obtaining written approval from the Team Manager.
The BCCI believes this measure will minimise unmonitored private meetings and reduce the risk of legal complications, blackmail attempts, or inappropriate conduct allegations.
Franchises have also been instructed to brief all players, coaching staff, and management personnel about the updated regulations and ensure strict compliance throughout the tournament.
Mandatory approval for personal outings
The advisory also focuses heavily on tracking player movements outside team hotels.
The BCCI observed that several instances of unrecorded or irregular exits during previous IPL seasons created serious security blind spots. To address this concern, any player or staff member planning to leave the team hotel for personal reasons must now seek prior approval from the designated Security Liaison Officer or Integrity Officer.
Each franchise will be required to maintain a real-time movement register documenting every off-site visit made by players and officials. These logs can be inspected at any point by the IPL Operations Team.
The cricket board stated that these procedures are necessary to ensure accountability and to prevent any security lapses during the tournament.
Franchise owners barred from restricted zones
The BCCI has also reinforced restrictions concerning franchise owners and management representatives.
As per the updated guidelines, owners and senior management personnel are prohibited from entering restricted areas such as dressing rooms, dugouts, and player-only operational zones during live matches.
The move follows previous reports of franchise officials interacting with players in areas governed by Player and Match Official Access (PMOA) protocols.
In addition, the board has made it compulsory for everyone present at stadiums, training venues, hotels, and operational facilities to visibly display accreditation cards at all times.
Security staff have been authorised to deny entry immediately to any individual failing to produce valid accreditation.
Surprise inspections and compliance audits
To ensure franchises are following the rules strictly, the IPL Operations Team will conduct surprise inspections and periodic compliance audits during the remainder of the season.
Team Managers have been directed to maintain complete documentation of approved visitors, player movements, and any security-related incidents. Franchises must also immediately report internal breaches or suspicious activities to the BCCI.
The governing body stated that these checks are intended to verify whether actual player movements and interactions match the official records maintained by the franchises.
Officials believe that tighter monitoring will strengthen the league’s integrity framework and help avoid controversies that could damage the reputation of the IPL.
Strict penalties for violations
The BCCI has warned franchises and individuals that violations of the new security framework could attract severe disciplinary action.
Penalties may include show-cause notices, substantial financial fines, suspension from ongoing tournaments, or even disqualification from future IPL seasons.
The board further clarified that any incident involving prohibited substances, sexual harassment allegations, or criminal misconduct would be directly referred to law enforcement agencies for investigation.
With the IPL continuing to grow as one of the world’s biggest sporting leagues, the BCCI appears determined to strengthen player protection mechanisms while safeguarding the tournament’s image and operational integrity.
The advisory signals a major shift towards tighter surveillance, stricter discipline, and enhanced accountability within franchise operations as the league enters its decisive phase.