Shahrukh Khan banned at Wankhede Stadium

The Wankhede stadium scuffle involving Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Shah Rukh Khan on Friday threatened to turn into a tug of war between the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), which controls the venue.
                The MCA banned Khan for five years from entering the stadium for misbehaving with its officials after Wednesday's IPL match, but league chairman Rajiv Shukla said the BCCI would have the last word on the matter.

"State bodies can only recommend, a final decision has to be taken by the BCCI," he said.

                            

MCA president Vilasrao Deshmukh, however, made it clear there would be no rethink on the ban.

"The BCCI will say what they want to, but we (MCA) are an independent body and the Wankhede stadium is our property. We have taken a decision to protect the dignity of our association," he said.

Deshmukh said Khan's entry to Wankhede was barred for all activities - even international matches and events.

"He didn't call me up, nor has he apologised. We have filed a police complaint and it's up to the police to act. From our side, the matter is closed," he said.

Several senior BCCI members backed the MCA.

"The stadium is MCA's property and the decision won't come for ratification to the board," said one member.

Another member found Shukla's statement "strange" and said: "What can a third party do if I decide on who should be allowed to enter my house?"

According to rules, the BCCI can't interfere in the matter, but what Shukla may have meant was that the board would use its clout to reverse the MCA's decision.

"The BCCI can only request the MCA, and who will refuse the BCCI?" asked another senior board functionary.

If so, it will then become a case of whether the MCA can stand its ground against the BCCI's pressure.