By IANS,
Mohali (Punjab) : The Board of control for cricket in India (BCCI) has said a probe would be initiated by the Indian Premier League (IPL) into a racism charge by two cheerleaders only if they officially complain to IPL commissioner Lalit Modi.
“We have not received any complaint from any cheerleaders that they were asked to leave by the Mohali-based Kings XI Punjab franchise recently because of the colour of their skin,” BCCI joint secretary M.P. Pandove said here.
Two dark-skinned cheerleaders from Britain, Ellesha Newton and Sherinne Anderson, were reported by London daily, The Telegraph, as saying that they were asked to leave from the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium in Mohali by officials of the event management company Wizcraft entertainment on directions of the franchise owners.
The incident, they claimed happened April 19, a day after the IPL tourney was inaugurated.
The Mohali franchise is owned by Bollywood actress Preity Zinta, her industrialist beau Ness Wadia and two other businessmen.
However, BCCI and IPL officials are baffled that the two cheerleaders did not point out to the racist behaviour while being in India and spoke about it once they returned to London.
Pandove said IPL could probe the incident only if the ‘victims’ complained formally.
“What we have heard is only from their statement to the media. We still don’t have a complaint,” said Pandove.
Foreign cheerleaders have been hired by various IPL franchises through event management companies to perform during matches of the respective teams.
The cheerleaders have been in controversy before for being scantily dressed during performances in India.