Mumbai – With less than three weeks until the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament, uncertainty still surrounds the broadcast rights – and now the venue. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced over the weekend that the tournament, scheduled for 10 April – 24 May 2009, would not be played in India amidst security concerns. It was felt that the IPL coinciding with India’s federal elections would see security forces too thinly stretched. England was named as the front-runner alternative venue, prompting heavy lobbying from hopeful host South Africa. Senior police sources in the UK have also spoken out against the England and Wales Cricket Board’s readiness to host the event – citing domestic security concerns in a period that sees the G20 summit, London Marathon and FA Cup semis and finals. Speculation is that broadcasting rights will remain with Multi Screen Media (MSM) Pvt Ltd, with SET (Sony Entertainment Televison) Max Channel set to telecast all the matches. MSM took the matter to the High Court after BCCI reportedly struck a new deal with World Sports Group (WSG). But many believe that the change of IPL venue paves the way clear for a new rights deal directly between IPL and MSM, rather than the previous deal between BCCI and MSM through WSG.