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ICC clears India's Harbhajan Singh of racist remarks

29/01/2008

India spinner Harbhajan Singh has been cleared by the International Cricket Council (ICC) of the racist abuse of Australia's Andrew Symonds.

However, the veteran has still been hit with a fine of half his match fee for the use of obscene language and offensive behaviour.

Harbhajan had been handed a three-match ban after allegations he had called Symonds - Australia's only black player - a "monkey" during the second Test in Sydney.

The allegations were made by Australia captain Ricky Ponting to the standing umpires Steve Bucknor and Mark Benson, who consequently laid a charge against Harbhajan after the close of play on day three of the Test.

At a later hearing, Harbhajan denied the charges but was handed a ban, something the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) claimed was a miscarriage of justice as it was one player's word against another.

And today's appeal hearing at the ICC, chaired by Justice John Hansen, appears to vindicate that position by reducing the charge against the spinner.

The conclusion of the appeals process against Harbhajan's ban marks the end of the controversies that have surrounded the most recent series between India and Australia, which the home side won 2-1 after a drawn fourth Test in Adelaide.

India had accused Australia spinner Brad Hogg of making an offensive remark during the second Test, although this charge was later dropped.

The tourists also accused their hosts of "not playing within the spirit of the game", while several umpires decisions were later shown to be incorrect – heightening bad feeling between the teams.

However, once Bucknor was replaced by Billy Bowden for the fourth Test and rival captains Ponting and Anil Kumble had attended a summit meeting to clear the air, the final match of the series saw a more genial relationship between the teams.