24 December,2010 02:20 PM IST | | Agencies
The controversial Goa Players League (GPL) cricket tournament kicked off Friday, despite the Board of Cricket Control of India (BCCI) calling the event 'illegal' in a statement Thursday evening.
"The outstation players who were participating in the tournament will not be allowed now. The BCCI's contention was that outstation players without the required NOCs should not be playing," Goa Cricket Association (GCA) secretary Prasad Fatarpekar told reporters here.
The BCCI had warned disciplinary action against players participating in the event, because the tournament had no official recognition.
"The Goa Premier League has not been recognised by the Goa Cricket Association and neither has BCCI's permission been obtained for the same. All the players and officials participating in this tournament will face disciplinary action," BCCI chief administrator Rantakar Shetty had said.
The GCA has now claimed that it was "all misunderstanding" and has gone ahead with the event Friday without the BCCI's blessing, with Dempo Cricket Club taking on Mechvac fixtures fittings in the opening match of the Twenty20 tournament.
Interestingly, contrary to Shetty's statement that the GCA has nothing to do with the GPL, the complete fixtures of the tournament are available on the GCA website.
Fatarpekar said: "The tournament is being played without outstation players now, so the BCCI should not have a problem."
Rajasthan Royals opener Swapnil Asnodkar and Chennai Super Kings left arm orthodox spinner Shadab Jakati are expected to participate in the 11 day tournament which is being held in Porvorim, a few kilometres from here.
