BCCI unlikely to remove Nigel Llong as the match official for IPL 2019 final

English umpire Nigel Llong has had a turbulent last week in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The man found himself in a deep controversy when he kicked the door of the umpires’ room at M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday following an argument with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) brought the matter to the notice of the Indian board and there were reports that he might not be a part of the final.

Latest reports, however, suggest it is unlikely that the authorities will remove Llong, a member of the ICC’s elite panel of umpires, from officiating the final of the IPL on May 12. The 50-year-old lost his cool when confronted by Kohli and RCB pacer Umesh Yadav after he gave a contentious no-ball call in the final over of the Sunrisers Hyderabad’s batting. Llong had called Umesh for overstepping even though cameras showed he didn’t but the umpire refused to budge. He later kicked the umpires’ room door during the break, damaging it.

India Today cited reports that said that the BCCI could ask Llong for some explaining but he was unlikely to be removed from the final to be held in Hyderabad. The playoffs of the IPL will kick off on Tuesday with defending champions Chennai Super Kings taking on Mumbai Indians at home. The KSCA though has demanded action against Llong, although admitting that the man has already paid for the damage.

KSCA hopes action will be taken against Llong

“We have reported the matter to the Committee of Administrators (COA) and hopefully action will be taken against Nigel Llong. If the players are punished for their misdemeanour and fined their match fees then why not the umpires,” KSCA secretary R Sudhakar Rao was quoted as saying.

“I didn’t speak to umpire Llong but I spoke to match referee Narayanan Kutty. I am hopeful COA will take action,” Rao said. Llong has officiated in 56 Tests, 123 ODIs and 32 T20Is and will be officiating in the upcoming ICC World Cup kicking off on May 30.

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