ICC president says he won’t support Modi

President of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Sharad Pawar has said he will not protect suspended Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Lalit Modi and insists he will face punishment if he is found guilty of the charges against him.

Modi was suspended over financial irregularities relating to the bidding process for IPL franchises, mid-over advertising sales and the sale of theatrical rights.

Pawar said: “No question of protecting anybody. Not only Modi but anybody. If somebody has committed some mistake he will have to face the music.”

He went on: “IPL, the product, has been a success in this country. It has established that India can also organise such things, and there he [Modi] has taken lots of pain, there are no two opinions about that. But his style of functioning has become controversial and the present board feels it should go in-depth [probe].

“The board has deputed a committee; let us see what the outcome is. From what I know of the BCCI [Board of Control for Cricket in India] it will take an appropriate decision and take steps to improve their functioning and image. I am confident that he has to be given a fair trial. But I can’t interfere either way.”