New Delhi, Aug. 21: The Indian Premier League authorities have urged its eight franchises not to use intermediaries to hire new players and instead deal directly with them to ensure consistency in the process.

"The rationale for this decision was based on the problems being faced by cricketing boards around the world, where some agents have been responsible for misguiding players and the franchisees, with detrimental effects on global cricket," the IPL said in a statement issued on Friday.

The league’s new rules seeking to reduce dependence on agents comes as a result of the Indian cricket control board’s recent decision to allow 70-odd ex-Indian Cricket League players to play in next year’s IPL. The consequent influx of rebel league players in the market has resulted in many agents reportedly asking for a bigger chunk from the player’s income.

The IPL said that it would from now on only recognise contracts signed directly between the players and franchisees The implemention of the rule, though, could be difficult since most of the BCCI’s contracted players, including the current Indian team, are represented by agents.

The IPL also said it would not recognise any player contracts not conforming to prescribed guidelines. "The IPL has taken this stand based on complaints received from multiple quarters about franchisees tweaking the terms of conditions of signing up young and new players as per their convenience and were not part of the prescribed contract templates provided by the league," the statement added.