BCCI mulls 2-match suspension for Hardik, KL Rahul after sexist remarks on TV show
New Delhi, Jan 10: CI's Committee of Administrators (COA) chief Vinod Rai has recommended a two-match ban for Hardik Pandya for his controversial remarks on TV show Koffee With Karan. Pandya was pulled up for his sexist remarks and he had apologised to his fans and India teammates.
Pandya had also responded to the COA's show-cause notice but they were apparently not happy with it. COA member Diana Edulji is now seeking legal opinion and she also want to know the opinion of other board members.
Besides Pandya, the COA has also recommended a two-match suspension for KL Rahul who was present on the show. However, it was Pandya's sensational comments which drew the ire of fans on social media and BCCI.
HIGHLIGHTS:
• Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul could get into more trouble after their controversial remarks on a TV show
• COA has recommended a two-match ban for the players despite Pandya's apology
• COA chief Vinod Rai said the commemts made by Pandya and Rahul were crass
"I am not convinced with Hardik's explanation and I have recommended a two-match ban for both players. However the final decision will be taken once Diana gives her go ahead," Rai told TNN.
"Diana has sought legal opinion whether the duo can be banned. So, obviously a decision will be taken once she gives her nod. As far as I am concerned, the comments were crass, in bad taste and unacceptable," Rai said.
BCCI Treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry has written an email and said proper process must be followed keeping in mind the BCCI constitution and players' contracts - he wants players to go through an enquiry and pending enquiry they must be suspended from the team. He has also cited Australian players Warner Smith and Bancroft who were banned for a longer period by Cricket Australia for bringing the game into disrepute.
"As far as the quantum of the punishment is concerned if the players are found guilty as per the procedures laid down in the Rules and Regulations, keeping in view the above factors and discussions, a two-match suspension seems to be merely a stop-gap arrangement especially considering that the CoA had banned Mr. Smith and Mr. Warner for a season. The players must be immediately suspended pending a proper inquiry and must be allowed to join the team (if selected) only once they have gone through a proper sensitization in addition to serving a ban, if imposed upon them," Chaudhry wrote in his letter.
Appearing on Koffee With Karan, Pandya boasted about hooking up with multiple women and even spoke about how open he is with his parents. Hardik Pandya revealed that he even informed his parents that he lost his virginity by telling them, "Aaj mai kar ke aaya."
"When I lost my virginity, I came home and said, 'Main karke aya hai aaj (I had sex today)'. At a party my parents asked me 'acha tera wala (women) kaun sa hai [who is your interest here?] so I said yeh, yeh, yeh (pointing out women)' and they were like 'waah proud of you beta'," Pandya boasted.
The 25-year-old also said things like, "I like to watch and observe how they (women) move. I'm little from the black side so I need to see how they move," when Karan Johar asked him why he doesn't ask women for their names in nightclubs.
Rahul then went on to reveal how they both decide on who gets to date a girl when Karan Johar asked them what happens when both of them like a particular person? "Upto the woman," Rahul replied.
But Pandya interrupted and said, "Nahi nahi aisa kuch nahi hai, talent pe hota hai. Jisko mila woh leke jao. It is on talent."
Hardik Pandya on Wednesday apologised for his comments and then responded to BCCI's show-cause notice later in the evening. Apparently, Pandya had also said sorry to his India teammates but all of that did not satisfy the COA.
In his response to the notice, which gave him 24 hours to explain himself, Pandya said he did not realise that his comments would be found offensive.