IPL 2024: Rajasthan Royals Without A Home as State Association Seal Stadium After Payment Defaulter

Rajasthan Royals are without a home, just ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024). A month before Sawai Man Singh Stadium hosts Indian Premier League matches, it has been sealed by the Rajasthan Sports Council (RSC).

According to Rajasthan Sports Council, Rajasthan Cricket Association, the state cricket body did not fulfil its liabilities, including payment of dues. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Rajasthan Cricket Association and the State Sports council hasn’t been renewed. The sports council has sealed both the stadium and the association, as a result. There is a also a defaulter of 34 crore rupees that has yet to be paid.

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Rajasthan Sports Council Seals RCA Properties Over Outstanding Dues

Sohan Ram Choudhary, the Secretary of the Rajasthan Sports Council had already served a notice to the RCA. They were supposed to hand over the property to the state council on Friday, but it did not happen.

The state sports council proceeded to seal the properties since the handover did not happen due to RCA’s purported failure to meet the conditions outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and failure to pay outstanding dues.

As the handover did not occur, the state sports council proceeded to seal the properties due to RCA’s purported failure to meet the conditions outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and failure to pay outstanding dues.

“We had sent them (RCA) numerous notices but there was no reply from their end. They only replied to increase the MoU to 10 years (from eight years). They had liabilities and they did not fulfil them,” Choudhary told the media.

“We have sat down with RCA to find a solution. They received approximately ₹200 crores but told us that they haven’t received the sum. They had a lot of money during the Rajasthan Premier League but they did not adhere to the MoU and did not deposit the money, that’s why we had to take this step,” he added.

However, Choudhary assured that the Sawai Man Singh Stadium will host the IPL matches and all other games that are slated to be organized here.

“This is our premise and we just took it back. The IPL matches will happen and all other national and international matches will also happen and the players will get all the facilities,” he said.

On his part, RCA president Vaibhav Gehlot, claimed that the action reeked of “political malice” and argued that his organization was not afforded adequate time to respond.

“We were not given full time, the time given was less than two days, there should not be politics in sports but politics is happening which is not right,” he added.

Gehlot also said that the RCA will consult its lawyers as to what steps could be taken next.

Rajasthan Royals in Limbo as MoU Expires Amid Payment Dispute

In July of last year, the MoU expired while the second MoU expired on 21st February. But after the fee defaulter, a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been agreed upon.

“MoU has ended. We have sent them notices many times. Rs 34 crore is due and hence we are here to take possession (of academy and stadium), the process that is needed to renew the MoU once it ended wasn’t done,” Sports Officer Karan Singh told ANI.

“We have sent a request that the MoU should be extended but it wasn’t extended. We received notice two days back that the academy (RCA) and the stadium (Sawai Mansingh Stadium) will be seized by the sports council. The monetary case between RCA and the sports council is in court,” Vaibhav told ANI.

Vaibhav Gehlot, President of Rajasthan Cricket Association (RSA) claimed that a request for extension has been sent. However, the ongoing court case regarding the payment defaulter is the reason for the deal falling through. And unfortunately for Rajasthan Royals, they’re the ones at the receiving end.

On 24th March, Rajasthan Royals are set to face Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their opening match at home. On March 28, RR will face Delhi Capitals as their second game. But without a home ground they are in a tight spot.

Owing to the general elections, the schedule of the IPL 2024 was announced only for the first two weeks and 21 matches.