No lifting of ban until IOA ensures absolute clarity: IOC

IOA amended its constitution on Dec 8 by barring charge-framed persons from elections set for Feb 9

Not completely happy with the Indian Olympic Association leaving room for interpretations in its recent constitutional amendments, the IOC today indicated that it may not proceed to lift the ban on the country until IOA ensures clarity regarding barring of charge-framed persons from contesting elections.

The IOA amended its constitution on December 8 by barring charge-framed persons like Abhey Singh Chautala and Lalit Bhanot from elections set for February 9, but the sticking point has been the provision to refer the matter to its internal Ethics Commission.

The IOC had yesterday issued guidelines to avoid "unnecessary speculation or doubtful interpretation", making it clear that charge-framed persons will have to resign automatically or else be suspended provisionally.

The world body had also made a veiled threat that it reserves the right to impose necessary sanctions if the IOA does not ratify the interpretations suggested by the IOC.

In another letter today, the IOC made it clear that it will not lift India's suspension until the IOA ensures absolute clarity in the charge-framed clause by ratifying the interpretations suggested by the world body.

"Upon receipt of confirmation of the IOC's interpretation and of the minutes of the next General Meeting, which will ratify the above interpretation of these clauses, the IOC will be in a position to confirm its formal approval of this Constitution," the IOC said in a letter written by its NOC Relations Director Pere Miro to IOA officials.

The IOC's latest communication could mean that the IOA will have to ratify the world body's interpretations of the charge-framed clause before the proposed February 9 elections if India's suspension has to be lifted.

The IOA may now have to ratify the interpretations of the IOC before the elections if it wants India's ban to be lifted.