Cancel IPL 2020: Plea In Madras High Court Against IPL Games Amidst Coronavirus Outbreak

Things are getting trickier for BCCI ahead of the thirteenth edition of the IPL due to the coronavirus outbreak that is affecting sporting events all across the globe. As of now, no international cricket match has been affected by the outbreak but signs are not at all promising ahead of the IPL.

In the last few weeks, more than five dozens of cases of coronavirus have emerged from different parts of the country. And with the situation showing no signs of improvement, a plea has been filed in the Madras High Court seeking a direction to the central government not to allow the BCCI conduct IPL this year. The upcoming edition of the cash-rich league is scheduled to take place between March 29 and May 24.

The PIL, filed by advocate G Alex Benziger, is likely to come up before a division bench comprising Justices MM Sundresh and Krishnan Ramaswamy on March 12.

“As on date, as per the website of the World Health Organisation, there was no specific medicine or to prevent or to treat the COVID-19,” the petitioner said according to The Times of India.

According to the petitioner, the coronavirus was spreading all over the world rapidly and creating a huge epidemic disaster. The Italy Federation League, one of the oldest leagues in the world, has been severely affected and the football games were being played behind closed doors with no fans allowed at any football ground until April 3 by the Italian government, the petitioner said.

The petitioner said he had sent a representation to authorities not to allow the BCCI conduct IPL matches. As there was no response, he filed the present plea, the petitioner added.

Reports also suggest that Karnataka government has also written to the central government, requesting for the postponement or the suspension of the IPL. According to local news channel Digvijay 24/7, the Karnataka government has denied hosting the IPL matches.

Earlier, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope had raised concerns over the coronavirus outbreak and said that the league could be staged at a later date.

“There is always a possible danger of spread (of contagious diseases) when large numbers of people gather in one place… Such (IPL) events can always be organised later,” Tope had earlier said.

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