Board will answer Azhar’s allegations in court — Muthiah

“He is at liberty as a citizen to approach the court,” he said replying to a question.

Asked about the alleged involvement of Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar in the match-fixing scandal, Muthaiah said, “there was no complaint in the CBI report about their involvement and I dont think we will take any action agaist them.”

About credibility in the appointment of former CBI director Madhavan to inquire into the match fixing issue as alleged by Azharuddin in his petition filed at a civil court in Hyderabad, he said “what is the point in defending publicly. What we did was correct and we will defend it in the court.”

To another question, Muthaiah said, “I was not in the Board when Azharuddin was appointed as captain and how can I have grudge against him.”

Board secretary Jaywant Lele, who was also approached by newsmen, said “we cannot do anything if he goes to the court.”

Asked whether players approaching court would spoil the credibility of the board and what steps it intended to take to prevent such move by players, Lele said the board would discuss about the issue in its next meeting scheduled to be held on February 23.

Replying to a question about the future of cricket in India, Lele said, “we should do well, and we are confident of doing well.”