HCA responds to SRH, accusing them of 'blackmail and threats' over ticket demands

The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) held a meeting with Sunrisers Hyderabad officials on Tuesday at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium. This meeting was called after reports surfaced that the franchise had accused the HCA president of blackmailing and threatening its staff at the home ground. SRH representatives Kiran, Saravanan, and Rohit Suresh were present for the discussion.

On Sunday, Cricbuzz reported that Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), owned by the Chennai-based Sun Group, accused Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) president Jagan Mohan Rao of using "blackmailing tactics" to pressure them over ticketing matters. The franchise even contacted the BCCI and the IPL Governing Council for help.

"It is the HCA President Mr. Jagan Mohan Rao who is resorting to threats, coercion and blackmail. Even before the IPL started, Rao threatened our staff with coercion, who in return out of fear wrote an email to him, placing on record the threat he made," a recent SRH memo to HCA Apex Council members stated.

SRH also claimed that Rao locked up the entire corporate box for hours before their match against Lucknow Super Giants on March 27, even though he knew it was reserved for LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka.

"This was done just to blackmail us and put coercive pressure on us to give additional 20 complimentary tickets before the game," the mail read.

HCA denied the claims on Tuesday

"During the discussions, SRH proposed strictly adhering to the existing tri-party agreement between SRH, HCA, and BCCI, ensuring that 10% of the available stadium capacity across all sections is allocated accordingly. HCA, in turn, proposed maintaining the existing allocation of passes in each category, in line with the long-standing practice followed over the years," a press release issued by SRH and HCA.

After extensive discussions and further telephonic deliberations with SRH CEO Mr. Shanmugam, the following resolution was agreed upon:

• The category allocation of 3,900 complimentary passes to HCA will remain unchanged, in line with established practice.

• HCA has assured SRH of their full cooperation in a professional manner.

• HCA and SRH are committed to working together harmoniously to enhance the spectator experience at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium. 

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