RCB Coach Andy Flower Penalized for Code of Conduct Violation
Andy Flower Fined for Conduct Breach
File image of RCB head coach Andy Flower (Photo: @Aur_vicky/X)
Mumbai, May 11: Andy Flower, the head coach of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, has received a fine amounting to "15 percent of his applicable match fee" due to a violation of Level 1 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct during a match against the Mumbai Indians.
The IPL announced that Flower breached article 2.3 of its Code of Conduct, which pertains to the 'use of an audible obscenity during a match.'
This incident took place during the 17.2 over when Flower confronted the fourth umpire aggressively regarding a disputed boundary call involving Krunal Pandya.
Krunal hit the ball towards wide long-on, where Naman Dhir caught it near the boundary and attempted to throw it to Tilak Varma while stepping over the line. Tilak, seemingly confused, signaled a six, possibly misinterpreting Naman's footwork as contact with the boundary cushions.
However, replays confirmed that Dhir did not touch the boundary during the catch attempt. Krunal, who was experiencing cramps, did not run, resulting in a dot ball.
According to the IPL's Code of Conduct, Article 2.3 addresses "the use of words that are generally recognized as offensive, obscene, or profane (in any language) and can be heard by spectators or the viewing public, whether through the stump microphone or otherwise. This includes swearing in frustration at one's own performance or luck."
Flower has acknowledged the violation and accepted the penalty imposed by match referee Amit Sharma.
In the match itself, RCB achieved a remarkable victory, narrowly defeating the Mumbai Indians by two wickets in a thrilling last-ball finish.
This loss means that the Mumbai Indians have become the second team, following the Lucknow Super Giants, to be eliminated from the IPL 2026 playoff contention.