Terming the award of cricket telecast rights to rivals Zee Network as a denial of natural justice, a top official of ESPN-Star Sports said the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had violated the rules of the bidding process set by themselves.
"I am disappointed to learn that Zee had been even offered the cricket rights and that the BCCI had changed the entire process of bidding in violation of rules set by BCCI themselves," ESPN-Star Sports (ESS) Managing Director Rik Dovey said in New Delhi on Sunday.
Dovey said that the Tender Committee of the BCCI had "confirmed they were very impressed by ESPN Star Sports' credentials" after the first meeting on Saturday.
He said ESS were asked to attend another meeting on Sunday where they were informed that the BCCI Tender Committee had changed their position from yesterday.
"We were informed that the BCCI had just given Zee the opportunity to increase their bid and that providing Zee met certain conditions, not all of which were disclosed to ESS, Zee would be awarded the rights later this week," Dovey said.
"ESS were not give any opportunity for discussion, further clarification or to alter our bid. In the few minutes we had with the Committee today we stressed that we continue to be the highest legitimate eligible bidder.
"We feel that today's proceedings clearly are a denial of justice and a violation by the BCCI of its tendering process," he said.
