BCCI is one of the richest and most powerful boards in world cricket. BCCI has faced allegations of wielding influence multiple times. There are also allegations that BCCI interferes in ICC's management. This time, former ICC match referee Chris Broad made explosive comments on this issue. He is the father of England's former pacer Stuart Broad. He brought allegations of wielding influence against the BCCI. He revealed that he was called and pressured not to make decisions against India. On this matter, he dragged Sourav Ganguly into it.
Chris Broad gave an interview to an English media outlet. There, he revealed that he was called so that the Indian team would not be penalised for a slow over rate. He was instructed not to make harsh decisions against India.
During a match, India was three to four overs behind the scheduled time. According to ICC rules, if the number of overs cannot be completed within the time, there is a slow over rate penalty. And the match referee decides on that penalty. Chris Broad was the referee during India's match. India bowled slow overs in that match. But after the match, before he made the final decision, he received a phone call. He said, "India was three to four overs behind, and they would have been penalised for this. I got a phone call and was told not to take a hard decision against India. Find some way out because this is India." However, he did not reveal which year, or which match it was.
After receiving the phone call, he did not penalise India. But the same thing happened in the next match. Sourav Ganguly was the captain then. Chris Broad said, "The same thing happened in the next match. Sourav Ganguly did not listen to anyone about finishing the match on time during fielding. I was hurrying them up. After the match, I called that number and asked what I should do? I was told, let them do what they are doing. Politics was involved in the whole incident."
Chris Broad was the referee for a total of 123 Tests. He retired in February 2024.
