MCA bans Shah Rukh Khan for 5 yrs, IPL chief says BCCI will decide

Mumbai, May 18 (PTI) The Mumbai Cricket Association today banned Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan from entering the Wankhede Stadium in this western Indian metropolis for five years for misbehaving with its officials and violating its rules. The "unanimous" decision was taken at a MCA Managing Committee meeting called to discuss action on Khan who was involved in a skirmish with the security and officials of the association after KKR's victory over Mumbai Indians in an IPL-5 20-20 limited overs cricket match on Wednesday night. MCA President Vilasrao Deshmukh, who chaired the meeting, said that his association was sending out a message that misbehaviour of any kind would not be tolerated. "If rules are violated, action will be taken. It does not depend who the individual is. It's a message to everyone whosoever he or she may be that stern action will be taken if there is any misbehaviour," Deshmukh, also an Indian minister, told a press conference. Khan, however, has denied that he had misbehaved and that he acted only after children, including his kids, were "manhandled" by the security staff. "How can he go inside the ground without proper accreditation. Even I can't go inside the ground if not invited for presentation ceremony," he said. "We have handed a five-year ban on him and it was a unanimous decision. It applies to any match whether domestic or international at the Wankhede," he said. Asked if the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) can reverse this decision to ban Khan, Deshmukh said, "We have taken a decision to protect the dignity of our association. BCCI is our parent body and we have written to them informing what had happened. We have no control over BCCI's decision. We are also an independent body with the Wankhede being our property." IPL Chairman Rajiv Shukla, however, said that a final decision will be taken by the BCCI. "State bodies can only recommend but a final decision has to be taken by the BCCI. When the matter comes to BCCI, the Board will decide (on the ban)," he told reporters in New Delhi. BCCI Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty said that the Board has received a complaint from the MCA regarding the fracas. "The BCCI has got a complaint from the MCA. We will see to it. We will also think of some measures from the next IPL onwards to ensure that such incidents do not happen in future," he said. PTI