New Delhi: Sachin Tendulkar has replied to BCCI Ombudsman D.K. Jain in the matter of an alleged conflict against him as member of the board's Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) as well as a mentor of Mumbai Indians (MI).
Making it clear that he holds an honourary position, Tendulkar has denied all charges levied against him and even agreed to meet Jain with his lawyer for further clarification if needed.
- In the letter to the Ombudsman, Tendulkar's lawyer wrote: "At the outset, the Notice (Tendulkar) denies the contents of the complaint in totality (except the statements specifically admitted herein). No part of the complaint should be deemed to be admitted by the Noticee for lack of specific denials.
- "The Noticee has received no pecuniary benefit/ compensation from the Mumbai Indians IPL Franchise in his capacity as the Mumbai Indians 'ICON' since his retirement, and is certainly not employed with the Franchise in any capacity.
- "He does not occupy any position, nor has he taken any decision (including a selection of team players) which could qualify as being in governance or management of the Franchise. Accordingly, there is no conflict of interest, either under the BCCI Rules or otherwise."
Tendulkar's lawyer also clarified in the submission that he was a part of MI from even before he was made a member of the CAC.
"The Noticee was appointed to the panel of the Cricket Advisory Committee in the year 2015. The Hon'ble Ethics Officer will appreciate that the Noticee was named as the 'ICON' for Mumbai Indians much prior to his empanelment with the CAC - which fact has always been in the public domain.