Brisbane Heat coach Law slams BCCI decision to ban cheerleaders from Champions League

Former Australian player Stuart Law, who coaches Big Bash side Brisbane Heat, has slammed Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision to ban cheerleaders from the Champions League Twenty20 tournament, saying that it would similar to having the Super Bowl without cheerleaders.

The skimpily-dressed exotic cheerleaders, both of foreign and Indian origin, are set to be banned by the BCCI from the Champions League following reports of wild after-match parties and links to crime barons.

According to the Courier Mail, the girls, who have been on India's T20 scene since the beginning of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008, have been given their marching orders by the BCCI, who although might find its hands tied as some of the cheerleaders, provided by overseas agencies, have multi-year contracts which might not be dismissed.

Stating that he cannot understand the fuss, Law said that a Champions League without cheerleaders would be like imagining the Super Bowl without the same, adding that he does not believe that there is any drama in having cheerleaders as every other country also does the same.

According to Law, if the decision becomes firm then it would take some of the 'razzamatazz' out of what is a big show, adding that the crowd loves the cheerleaders.

The report mentioned that other anti-corruption measures are also being enforced at the tournament including barring team owners from dugouts and restricting access to player dressing rooms and match officials areas.

Players and support staff will now have to disclose their mobile numbers and they will not be allowed to receive gifts during the course of the tournament, the report added.