Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals not to pay IPL annual fee

CSK have already paid an installment of their fee which will be returned to them, as per reports.

Responding to the appeal made by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) stated that the teams need not pay their annual fee as an Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise holder. The two teams, post the 2009 spot-fixing scam and a lot of other allegations, have been suspended for two IPL seasons. The franchise holders had appealed to the Bombay High Court as they were asked to pay their annual fees in order to retain their membership as IPL franchise members. READ: CSK to go ahead with school tournament on fans’ demands

CSK have already paid an installment of their fees which will be returned to them, as per reports. A CSK official revealed to espncricinfo.com, “There is no need to pay the franchise fee when we are suspended,. They will refund the franchise fee which we have paid so far [under protest]. We have already withdrawn the case from the Bombay High Court.”

“When they asked for the full and final [instalment] of payment, we approached the court for a stay and then we invoked the arbitration clause. Arbitrators were also in favour [of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals], so they [BCCI] went for an out of court settlement.”

Earlier, the franchise owners had confirmed appealing to Bombay HC. “Yes, we moved the Bombay High Court in April, seeking to resolve the dispute over the payment of the franchise fee through arbitration. Rajasthan Royals, too, did the same and both arbitration have been held simultaneously. The oral hearings are over but some technicalities remain. So it might take at least another two-three months to reach a verdict,” said CSK manager George John to Indian Express.

About the Author