IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla today welcomed the government's proposal to enact a new law under which spot-fixing and match fixing would fall in the category of criminal offences.
The IPL last week found itself engulfed in a sensational spot-fixing scandal after three Rajasthan Royals players were arrested for their role in spot-fixing, following which Law Minister Kapil Sibal emphasised on the need for a separate law to deal with the menace of fixing in cricket.
"Law Minister Kapil Sibal has expressed his opinion to enact a law by which stringent measures would be adopted on match-fixing and it's a welcome step because it's not just about cricket, it is about other sports also where betting is taking place," Shukla said today.
"The government is thinking on those lines and we would welcome that," he added.
Shukla said that cricket should remain a "gentleman's" game.
"We want that cricket should remain a gentleman's game. Most of the preventive measures have been taken. And apart from that BCCI is one body which has not pardoned its players who have been caught in match-fixing earlier.
"The other boards of the world have given exceptions to their players but BCCI has not given exception to any players. And they are still facing a ban. The BCCI is very strict as far as match-fixing is concerned."
A special cell of the Delhi police arrested S Sreesanth and his teammates -- Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan -- in Mumbai last Thursday for indulging in spot-fixing in at least three IPL matches as per arrangements with bookies, who have underworld connections abroad.
