IPL 2019: Umpire Nigel Llong Under Scanner, Still Officiated for the Grand Finale
May 7, 2019 at 6:14 PM
The 12th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) is almost over. Four teams have sealed playoffs berth after 56 interesting league matches. However, this season has been more of a season for controversies. From Ashwin’s Mankading to Dhoni losing his cool, the social media is full of season’s hot topics. It is about the English official Nigel Llong who’s rage brought him to controversial limelight of the season.
Llong’s outburst during the match of Royal Challengers Bangalore against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday created a heated controversy.
The incident took place during the innings break when Llong kick-damaged the door and shouted at the people in the room. Llong is among the International Cricket Council‘s Elite Panel of Umpires. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) officials confirmed the incident and will be sending a report of the incident to BCCI’s Committee of Administrators (CoA).
Llong was visibly peeved after a senior player advised him to be focused after he wrongly adjudged Umesh Yadav‘s delivery as a no-ball for overstepping. The RCB skipper Virat Kohli‘s name being aired as the senior player.
Meanwhile, the KSCA spokesperson Vinay Mruthyunjaya said that they haven’t delayed the report.
“The match got over late on Saturday and Sunday (the office) was closed for us. We took up the issue today and decided to report it to the higher authorities and subsequently, we have written to the BCCI, ICC and the IPL Governing Council,” Mruthyunjaya said.
Whereas R Sudhakar Rao, the secretary of KSCA, called it unfortunate. Reportedly, Llong has paid KSCA Rs. 5,000 for the damages caused.
Indian Umpires Furious Over Light Treatment is given to Llong
The incident has left Indian Umpires furious questioning the double standards when it comes to their actions.
“I can tell you with 100 per cent surety that if an Indian umpire had behaved like this, he would have been banned for life the next day,” said an umpire on the BCCI panel.
“There are clear double standards in play here. I heard he had been made to pay, but it’s not about the money. It’s the behaviour of an Elite Panel umpire that’s a cause of concern for us. We are supposed to be controlling the behaviour of players, but if we only behave like this, then what behaviour can we expect from them?” he asked.
However, umpires are answerable to their own Code of Conduct. Well, the required action against Llong is awaited
Besides, damaging the association property is a more serious offence of a non-cricketing nature.
Llong is scheduled to officiate in the IPL 2019 final at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on May 12 (Sunday).