Industry odisha Bureau, May 29: The Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly banned ‘Smart Goggles’ being used by the players and match officials within the Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA).
The players and match officials have reportedly been strictly directed to deposit those controversial googles on match days so that those prohited sunglasses could not be used at any cost either in the dressing rooms, pavilion or playground that come under the jurisdiction of PMOA.
Reportedly, such a strict prohibition has been imposed forthwith following intelligence inputs received by the BCCI’s ACSU that the ‘Smart Goggles’, either sponsored or sold by certain firms, are no ordinary sunglasses. Rather, they are, in fact, high-tech gadgets equipped with hidden advanced communication (audio-video) features and could be operated by cell phone data or Wi-Fi networks.
The directives reportedly issued to all IPL franchises by the BCCI’s ACSU read:
1) “It is hereby notified that the possession and/or use of ‘Smart Goggles’ is strictly prohibited within the Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA).”
2) “All players and support staff are directed to deposit such devices with the Security Liaison Officer (SLO), along with their mobile phones and smartwatches, upon entering the PMOA on match days.”
3) “Kindly note that these devices are equipped with advanced communication features, including live streaming, sending and receiving text messages, as well as audio and video calling capabilities through mobile data or Wi-Fi networks.”
The BCCI’s ACSU directives also underline: “Failure to deposit such devices shall be deemed a breach of the PMOA protocols and may result in penalties under the PMOA Minimum Standards for IPL 2026.”
Pertinent to note that, “Neither mobile phones nor any other electronic gadgets/devices like smart watches are allowed in the PMOA and its jurisdiction. All those items must be turned off and submitted with the SLO for storage on arrival at the stadium on the match days.”
